Vantage seeks feedback at ‘community conversation’

Vantage Data Centers will host a “community conversation” about its Lighthouse Campus being constructed on Port Washington’s north side from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.

The event, to be held at Inventors Brewpub in Port, will follow an open-house format with tables and booths dedicated to various aspects of the data center campus set up throughout the venue.

People will be able to stop at tables that are focused on specific aspects of the data center project they have questions about and spend as much time as needed to find out about the campus,  Misty Allen, Vantage’s vice president of public policy in North America, said.

“We’re hoping it will allow people to have deeper conversations about the campus,” Allen said.

“This is about getting feedback. It’s an opportunity to share information with the community, information people may not have, and provide a safe space to learn more and hear it directly from us.”

She acknowledged that the project has generated controversy in the community, but said the event is about providing information to people.

“I think for the most part people who will come are curious, even if they’re skeptical,” she said.

The event will include areas where people can learn about the construction of the center, sustainability projects and water use, Allen said, as well as other aspects of the project.

“Even though data centers have been around for a very long time, many people  have questions, especially dealing with AI (artificial intelligence),” she said.

Because of that, representatives of Oracle and OpenAI, which will use the data center when it is completed, will be at the session to talk to people, Allen said.

“I think it’s an opportunity to help demystify topics the average person doesn’t know about, like AI and advanced computing,” Mark Freeman, Vantage’s vice president of global marketing, said.

The companies will also have a career booth, Allen said, noting that Vantage expects to have 300 full-time employees working at the data center when it’s completed and Oracle and OpenAI expect to have 700 full-time workers.

“This is not just a construction project for us,” she said. “We want to reassure people we are committed to the community. We are a long-term project, and we want to be part of the community.”

  Allen said the meeting is part of Vantage’s efforts to engage the community, adding that the company held two other meetings earlier in the process that focused on people living near the campus.

There will be additional sessions scheduled as the project moves forward, she added.

Allen said Vantage will be launching a community bulletin to keep people up to date with what’s happening at the site.

“We want to uncover the best way to communicate with the community,” she said.

Those planning to attend the event are encouraged to sign up in advance at https://tinyurl.com/56uabf4a.