Randy Knaack
ON THE RECORD · 8 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“All small communities should be aware that when somebody comes in with a sales pitch that seems too good to be true, maybe it is,”
Randy Knaack · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01
Knaack urged other small communities to be cautious when pitched large development projects.
“Learn from our mistakes and follow our lead.”
Randy Knaack · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01
Knaack encouraged other municipalities to learn from Menomonie's experience with the datacenter saga.
“I mean, we’re talking about a developer backed by one of the richest companies on earth here.”
Randy Knaack · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01
Knaack reflected on the power imbalance between the small city and the developer's parent corporation.
“I understand why the community was angry. I was angry.”
Randy Knaack · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01
Knaack acknowledged the community's anger over the datacenter project and his own frustration.
“I felt like their attorneys were more in control of the process than we were,”
Randy Knaack · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01
Knaack described feeling that Balloonist's attorneys controlled the datacenter negotiation process.
“way in over their head”
Randy Knaack · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01
Knaack conceded the city was overwhelmed dealing with Balloonist on the datacenter project.
“Maybe you get $1m in tax out of these people, which does help but at what cost to the community?”
Randy Knaack · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01
Knaack questioned whether the tax revenue from the datacenter justified the cost to the community.
“not a suitable fit”
Randy Knaack · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01
Knaack directed Atkinson to inform Balloonist that the datacenter was not suitable for Menomonie.