After gathering information from a variety of neighbors and officials at different levels of government, this timeline was created to summarize the events surrounding the evolution of the QTS proposal to construct a 15 building Data
Center Complex in the heart of Vienna Township. This campus will cover some of the highest quality farmland in the State of WI.

QTS has not been a good faith actor in this process. There has been no transparency; negotiations have been done in secret. Information was not even forthcoming to the Vienna Town Board.​

 

• As early as the fall of 2024, negotiations begin between QTS and carefully chosen landowners to create a massive data center in the very heart of Vienna Township. Non-disclosure agreements are entered into by the landowners, including the Chairman of the Town’s Planning Commission. The Vienna Town Board is not privy to these negotiations.

• In early June, 2025, the Vienna Board receives a request from QTS to amend the Comprehensive Plan that they have been working on for over two years. QTS desires rezoning of the acreage in question out of Farmland Preservation.

• On July 1, 2025, the Chairman of the Planning Commission steps down from his position after signing an agreement to sell property to QTS.

• On July 10, 2025, QTS holds a “pig roast” to introduce themselves to the community, but only announces the meeting two days prior to the event. Over 100 people attend the QTS gathering. QTS representatives spend under 15 minutes on a presentation introducing their company. They describe QTS as an organization that is “all about serving the community” and prides itself in “being a good neighbor.” They repeatedly stated their core values; “integrity, character and trust”. People in attendance expect to have a public question and answer session. After 3 or 4 questions, QTS cuts off public dialogue. Instead, they insist all questions would be answered on a one-on-one basis with a QTS or Alliant Energy representative. QTS stated they were proposing 15 data center buildings on 612 acres of land. No map was shared, only a verbal description; north to DM and south to V, east to WIBU and west to Patton. Individuals asking questions of QTS or Alliant Representatives received vague and conflicting answers.

• At Vienna Board meetings in July, the Comprehensive Plan is front and center. The Board rejects considering QTS’s proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Planning.

• The Vienna Board assures the public that there will be a meticulous process followed before any decisions on QTS will be made. There will be ample time for public input and public hearings at both the Township and County levels.

• After the July meetings, according to multiple sources, QTS goes silent. During this period of silence, QTS and the landowners begin conversations about annexation to the Village of Deforest. (State law on annexation requires only four things: (1) A developer along with (2) landowners must (3) ask and receive permission from the annexing municipality and (4) the land must be contiguous to that municipality). Evidence supports that the Vienna Board is not included in the crafting of this plan.

• In early September, QTS meets with all but one of the DeForest Trustees as well as Village of DeForest staff members, so they can “educate themselves” about QTS. The Deforest Administrator is made aware of the annexation plan, Vienna is not.

• QTS breaks their silence with the Vienna Town Board and the County when they drop off a so-called “Cooperation Agreement” at the Vienna Town Hall on October 22, 2025. The Vienna Board immediately calls, then cancels a closed session to consider the agreement – once they discovered the magnitude of what QTS was demanding.

• On Oct 24, the QTS authored “Cooperation Agreement” is made public. QTS will pay Vienna approximately $20 million over 15 years. The parcel to be annexed is increased from 612 acres to 1200 acres. In return for the money, Vienna will publicly say that they “jointly determined that it would be in the best interest of both of them (QTS and Vienna Township) for the developer to seek annexation from the Town into the Village of Deforest”. In addition, the Board must agree to help facilitate every step of the process of annexation, and publicly agree with all of QTS’s press releases.

• On November 3, 2025, the Village of DeForest receives the annexation application from all landowners involved. Vienna receives a map of the proposed project area but has not discussed the “Cooperation Agreement” because they have concerns with the agreement as it’s written.