Mom Takes Action After Learning About Proposed Data Center Just 12 Miles from Home. Days Later, Company Gives Up (Exclusive)

**Local Mother Champions Clean Air Initiatives in Wisconsin**

At the heart of De Pere, Wisconsin, Jayne Black has emerged as a passionate advocate for clean air, driven by the health challenges faced by her children. With a 41-year-old daughter living with multiple sclerosis and a 37-year-old son suffering from asthma, Black’s commitment to fighting air pollution deeply resonates on a personal level.

The 64-year-old Black works as a field organiser for Moms Clean Air Force, a nationwide non-profit organisation comprising 1.6 million parents united in their mission to combat air pollution and protect environmental health for future generations. “All I can see is my daughter’s face and my son’s face,” she stated, expressing the emotional stakes of her activism. “Everything I do is for them, and I’m thankful it benefits a lot of people.”

Black’s journey into activism began when her son was diagnosed with asthma at just five years old. She recalls her initial confusion when the doctor attributed his condition to environmental factors. “I never connected those dots to air pollutants,” she reflected, initially thinking allergens were the only issues at play. As time passed, her understanding of the impact of air quality on health deepened significantly.

The COVID-19 pandemic proved pivotal for Black’s activism. Following Erin’s diagnosis in 2015, the pandemic amplified her concerns for her daughter’s health while navigating an uncertain world. “Her doctors told her, ‘You need to take this really seriously. You need to mask,’” Black shared. This prompted Erin’s own research into air quality, further igniting Black’s desire to take action. “During that time, I was like, ‘I have got to get involved. I have got to do something.’”

Previously a pre-school teacher and an accomplished beauty pageant contestant, where she held the title of Mrs. Elemental USA in 2025, Black skilfully leverages her platform to spread awareness about environmental sustainability. “Everything that I do with Moms Clean Air Force, I’m able to promote through that as well,” she noted, demonstrating her dedication to this cause.

Recently, she encountered a formidable challenge when a Texas developer, Cloverleaf Infrastructure, proposed constructing a data centre just twelve miles from her home in Greenleaf, Wisconsin. Black quickly recognised the implications of such a project, particularly given the reliance on fossil fuels to power these facilities. “It’s gut-wrenching, and knowing too that these data centres primarily are using fossil fuels. It’s really disappointing and it’s scary,” she stated, highlighting the environmental stakes involved.

In response to the proposed data centre, Black initiated a Facebook group aimed at mobilising local residents to raise awareness and organise against the project. Within a week, the group amassed over 3,000 members, drawing support from across Wisconsin. “They’re like, ‘This is farmland. I don’t want it in my backyard,’” Black explained of the group’s sentiments. This outpouring of community support solidified their resolve to confront the developer.

Remarkably, Cloverleaf Infrastructure abandoned its plans to establish the data centre, citing insufficient backing from local stakeholders. “We had such strong opposition,” Black relayed, expressing her surprise at the developer’s decision. “I work with organisers all across the country, and so we really want Greenleaf to be inspirational to the fact that community pushback works.”

Black takes pride in the collaborative effort that led to this victory, noting the power of community action in effecting real change. “These people in Greenleaf did not even know me, and we just all worked together,” she said, underscoring the importance of collective voices in advocacy.

Her children, Erin and Sam, are aware of their mother’s mission and recognise its broader significance. “For a long time, my daughter’s illness was very personal and private,” Black revealed. Yet, grounded by her family’s support, her drive to advocate for cleaner air remains unwavering. “I rarely get tired out,” she insisted.

Through her work, Black hopes to illustrate the strength of a mother’s voice and the impact of personal stories in the fight for cleaner air. “When you speak about wanting changes for cleaner air, and you have a child who’s impacted, it hits differently,” she explained. “That’s really what we do at Moms, is just use our stories.”

In her message, Black acknowledges that while not everyone may be able to engage in activism to the same extent, every small contribution counts. “I understand not all of us can do this work, but everybody can do one little thing,” she advised. Whether signing petitions, attending meetings, or simply casting a vote, every action contributes to a powerful collective voice. “That’s what community is all about. And community means everyone,” she concluded, reinforcing that unity is key to winning these essential battles for health and the environment.