Residents remain vocal following Hermantown's Google data center approval
Hermantown City Council unanimously approved Google's proposed data center on Oct. 30, despite strong community opposition. Residents continued criticizing the decision at the following council meeting, citing concerns about public participation, forests, wetlands, air and water.
The Hermantown City Council unanimously approved Google’s proposed data center at a special meeting on Oct. 30. The decision followed months of heightened attendance and civic engagement surrounding the project, with police and access restrictions used during the approval meeting.
Residents continued voicing opposition during the council’s Nov. 2 meeting, asking for larger venues and changes to the public-comment process. Julie Ernst criticized the project’s potential effects on forests, wetlands, air and water, while other council business included city infrastructure and utility work unrelated to Google.