On June 20th, CARW President Tracy Johnson guest hosted “Point Taken” on WTMJ 620 and sat down with the City of Port Washington Mayor, Ted Neitzke, who also serves as CEO of CESA 6. They had a wide-ranging discussion on local and state policy—but focused on an economic development project that could dramatically reshape Wisconsin’s energy and economic future. If you missed it Friday, check it out here: Point Taken w/ Tracy Johnson – June 20th, 2025
(time mark: 1:11:00)
The interview covered:
– The proposed Vantage Data Center—a 3.5 gigawatt project that, if completed, would be the largest single data center site in the U.S.
– What it means for Port Washington, and how leaders build trust, ensure transparency, and prepare communities for growth
– Why this project is different from Microsoft’s in Mount Pleasant or Meta’s builds elsewhere—and how Wisconsin can lead by getting it right
– The importance of local control, and how to balance local priorities with state and federal coordination
As CEO of CESA 6 and a longtime educator, Mayor Neitzke also shared his perspective on:
– What’s changed in public education—and how local leaders are adapting
– Why he’s optimistic about the future of education in Wisconsin, despite mounting challenges
– How strong support for referendums this spring—including in Port Washington—is a signal that communities are willing to invest in their schools, even as statewide funding reform remains uncertain
This episode is packed with insight on leadership, infrastructure, education, and how communities navigate change and opportunity.
The full show features a political conversation with Republican and Democrat Strategists Bill McCoshen and Joe Zepecki.