From Assembly Lines to Algorithms: Could Janesville’s Former GM and JATCO Sites Become a Data Hub?
By Mandy Witt
The south side of Janesville—once a powerhouse of automotive manufacturing—might soon step into the future as a potential home for data center development. In a bold and strategic move, the City of Janesville has announced plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to developers interested in transforming the former General Motors and JATCO sites into a next-generation economic engine.
This news, first reported by The Gazette, is a significant pivot from the industrial past that defined these properties for decades. Once humming with the sound of assembly lines, these sites are now being eyed by developers for their infrastructure, scale, and redevelopment potential—key ingredients for data center operations.
What’s a Data Center—and Why Janesville?
A data center is essentially the brain of the internet: a secure facility filled with servers that store, process, and manage digital information for everything from cloud storage to streaming services. Think of them as the behind-the-scenes muscle for companies like Amazon Web Services, Google, and Microsoft.
Why would Janesville be on the radar for this kind of development? The GM and JATCO sites offer:
- Large parcels of industrial-zoned land
- Proximity to fiber optic infrastructure and major roadways
- Access to utilities, including electricity and water
- A community open to redevelopment and revitalization
These characteristics make it a prime candidate for data center developers looking to expand operations into the Midwest.
City Leadership Takes a Thoughtful Step
Amanda Gilbert, the city’s communications specialist, made it clear: this is an exploratory step—not a done deal. By issuing the RFP, the city hopes to gauge interest, gather ideas, and determine whether a data center fits the long-term vision for Janesville.
“This is a preliminary step to gather information and assess interest, not a final decision,” Gilbert stated. “It will help get the ball rolling.”
The city council will vote on whether to move forward with the RFP at its meeting on Monday, July 14 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Not Just Any Development
While interest from data center developers is encouraging, city officials are clear-eyed about what’s at stake. Any project must align with community goals such as:
- Creating family-sustaining jobs
- Growing the local tax base
- Addressing environmental conditions
- Attracting long-term private investment
The city has already taken major steps toward redevelopment. After stalled negotiations with Commercial Development Company, the city initiated an eminent domain process and eventually approved a $3.85 million offer to acquire the GM and JATCO sites, along with three neighboring properties. Additional parcels, including a garage and the former Zoxx 411 Club, are also part of the broader redevelopment plan.
A Vision for the Future
The move toward potential data center development is a powerful symbol of transformation—from legacy industry to digital infrastructure. It represents not only economic revitalization but also a future-focused mindset that aims to position Janesville as a city that evolves with the times.
Of course, the process is far from over. Community members, city leaders, and potential developers all have a role to play in shaping what comes next. But one thing is clear: Janesville isn’t just looking for a buyer—it’s looking for the right partner.
Stay tuned for what’s sure to be an exciting chapter in the city's redevelopment journey.
Want to learn more about the city's plans or get involved in the conversation? The public is welcome to attend the City Council meeting on Monday, July 14 at 6 p.m. at Janesville City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St.
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