University of Dubuque to host data center forum Nov. 17

DUBUQUE, Iowa - As the debate surrounding data centers continues across Eastern Iowa, the University of Dubuque will host a forum about data centers on Nov. 17, KWWL reports. The community forum is free and open to the public, scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center on the University of Dubuque campus. Stacey Ortman, the university's director of public information, said in a press release that the forum will explore "the topic of data center development from an interdisciplinary lens with student scholarship presentations and a panel of journalists." A showcase of student scholarship kicks off the forum at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Smith Welcome Center. Students have spent the semester examining data centers in their classes, including an environmental science class researching potential environmental and community impacts of a proposed data center in Peosta, covering water use, energy demand, land use, air quality, noise, and community impacts. The forum transitions to a panel discussion and question-and-answer session at 6 p.m. in Room 264 of the Smith Welcome Center. Panelists are Benjamin Fisher, a freelance journalist based in Dubuque; Tom Kertscher, a reporter for Wisconsin Watch; and Grace Nieland, the Linn County local government reporter for The Gazette. The forum is hosted by the university's divisions of aviation and flight, computing and applied technology, humanities, natural sciences, and theology. Financial support is provided by the Wendt Center for Character and Leadership. The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors has held several meetings in 2026 during which data centers have been on the agenda.