The Rural Impact

08/08/2026

Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission is now at the center of the data center fight. Data centers require new power plants, transmission lines and substations, and none of those projects can begin without the PSC’s go-ahead. Each major commission decision on data center-related infrastructure will have long-term consequences for Wisconsinites.

Thursday’s decision to send a utility back to the drawing board — a first for the century-old commission — could throw a wrench into Oracle, OpenAI and Vantage’s plans to get the Port Washington data center up and running by the beginning of 2028.

Read our reporting on the vote at the link in the comments, and, if you haven’t already, our previous reporting on the PSC’s evolving approach to a tsunami of multibillion-dollar energy infrastructure projects.

05/08/2026

For more than a century, why has rural America been described as being "in crisis"? In this thought-provoking episode Michelle Rathman-Batschke sat down with historian and author Steven Conn to explore the myths, realities, and historical forces that continue to shape rural America.

Drawing from his book Lies of the Land: Seeing Rural America for What It Is—and What It Isn't, Conn challenges many assumptions that dominate conversations about rural communities. Together, Michelle and Steven examine how America's founding ideals, military expansion, industrial development, corporate influence, and public policy have shaped today's rural landscape, and why understanding that history is essential to creating stronger rural futures.

Hit that subscribe button, 🎧 👍 and join the conversation.

🔗 https://youtu.be/C6vNikQ53lA

05/08/2026

A topic we’re following closely. 👇

A proposed $10 billion data center in the Columbia County town of Pacific never made it past an early conversation with the developer.

Town Chair Steven Pate said he told the developer any proposal would have to be discussed at a public meeting with the full town board. After that, the project quietly vanished.

As Wisconsin communities prepare for more data center proposals, Columbia County has now banned supervisors from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data centers.

"I wanted to be very clear to the public that they should be able to trust us," Supervisor Denise Brusveen said.

Read more at the link in the comments.

01/08/2026

One year later. What's changed for rural healthcare?

The Rural Impact revisits one of the most significant policy shifts affecting rural healthcare: the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program.

Host Michelle Rathman is joined by three nationally recognized rural health leaders to discuss what's working, what challenges remain, and where innovation is taking shape across rural America.

🎧 Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/bdussxvt

A special thank you to our partner, the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. NARHC invites you to Louisville, Kentucky, September 28–October 1, for the NARHC Fall Institute. Connect with Rural Health Clinic professionals from across the country, gain valuable insights, and discover practical strategies to help your clinic succeed.
Save your spot today at NARHC.org.

31/07/2026

***PARTNER NEWS***

Join the National Association of Rural Health Clinics in Louisville, Kentucky, September 28 through October 1, for the NARHC Fall Institute—the only national conference designed exclusively for Rural Health Clinics.

This isn't just another healthcare conference. It's an opportunity to learn from experts who understand the RHC environment, gain practical strategies you can take back to your organization, and connect with professionals facing the same challenges you are every day.

Past attendees say they left with a better understanding of their role, new ideas to strengthen their clinics, and valuable connections with colleagues from across the country. Whether you're a clinic manager, CEO, provider, coder, biller, or just getting started in the RHC world, you'll find education and resources tailored specifically to you.

And when the sessions wrap up, Louisville is yours to explore—from Churchill Downs and the Bourbon Trail to the Muhammad Ali Center and more.

Invest in your clinic. Invest in your professional growth. Join us at the NARHC Fall Institute. Visit NARHC.org to register today.

28/07/2026

The Lies of the Land- Seeing Rural America for What It Is - And Isn't by Steven Conn brings urgently important context to the conversations about rural. The notion that we should return to any period in the past when we have yet to learn history's lessons...have a 🎧and let us know your thoughts on these matters.🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ym2yyn8c

23/07/2026

Data centers and their impacts are of great interest to communities across the United States right now, including the policies that are both permitting and denying these projects that experts warn carry significant risks to water, air quality, and health.

In our latest drop, you'll hear historian and author Steve Conn connect the dots between past and present practices where land use in rural places is concerned, and the lessons learned; however, not always heeded.

🔗https://tinyurl.com/ym2yyn8c

In another episode, Michelle Rathman-Batschke talked with John Shepard, and they discussed a project debate happening in WI, and he was kind enough to share this update with us on that situation. So, we're paying it forward and sharing it with you. 👇

https://www.wpr.org/news/oracles-credit-rating-cut-data-center-legal-battle-with-wisconsin-regulators

Is your community being courted for a data center? We're extending an invitation to rural civic leaders to contact us with your stories. How are you balancing public concern with responsible development? Where are benefits and do they outweigh the risks? What policies are you enacting to ensure data center developers are accountable for the unknown impacts?

We'll keep covering this important rural matter and appreciate the listen, shares, and contributions to the conversation.

Tech giant Oracle Corp. took a hit to its credit rating amid massive spending in the race to build out artificial intelligence as it battles with Wisconsin regulators in court on financial requirements for data center customers.

16/07/2026

Just before America's 250th celebration, Michelle Rathman-Batschke sat down with Historian and Author of the book Lies of the Land: Seeing Rural America for What It Is—and What It Isn't, Steven Conn.

In the context of the concept around the “again” movement, we set out to explore the before. If you are unfamiliar with America's rural history, this conversation is a primer and, we hope, an inspiration to learn more.

Listen. Share. Join this Imperative Conversation: https://tinyurl.com/ym2yyn8c

15/07/2026

We have a NEW episode dropping tomorrow, and, like this one with guest John Shepard, AICP you will not want to miss it. Every day, a new example of how rural communities are confronting the questions about data centers and how they will impact the quality of life for those who LIVE in rural places.

As Michelle Rathman-Batschke asks each episode, are you ready? Have a listen and let's keep this conversation front and center.

🔗 https://youtu.be/oxqVd9l81S0

10/07/2026

In our latest episode, Michelle Rathman-Batschke talked with John Shepard to provide additional context for our ongoing conversation focused on powering rural and the push for data centers to occupy enormous swaths of rural land.

Listen closely as John makes this strong case for local governments to keep in mind as they are being courted for these projects, especially when, more often than not, the risks seem to outweigh the benefits to the communities impacted. “You build a community for the people who are there, and if other people like it as visitors or migrants, hey, that's awesome. But build for the people who are
here.”

📺The Rural Impact on YouTube🔗 https://youtu.be/oxqVd9l81S0
--OR-- 🎧on your favorite podcast channel.

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