Hermantown approves plans for data center
The Hermantown City Council unanimously approved six resolutions allowing Google to develop a proposed 500-megawatt data center, including a special-use permit and an agreement requiring decommissioning if the facility is no longer used. The approval followed four hours of public comment and strong opposition from residents, while business and labor groups supported the project.
The Hermantown City Council unanimously approved plans for Google’s proposed 500-megawatt data center after extensive public comment and discussion with representatives from Google and Minnesota Power. The six approved resolutions included a special-use permit and an agreement requiring Google to decommission the facility if it stops using it.
Residents and organizations opposed the project, and related legal actions and lawsuits remain unsettled. Local business groups, economic development officials and labor representatives backed the development, citing expected jobs, economic growth and community investment. Hermantown Chamber President and CEO Kim Parmeter acknowledged concerns from nearby residents but said the project’s long-term benefits justified moving forward.