Southwest Minnesota county rejects proposal for construction of data center

The Nobles County Commission in Southwestern Minnesota voted 3-2 to reject a proposed zoning change that would have allowed for the construction of a $4 billion data center on 640 acres of farmland. The decision upholds a recommendation from the county planning commission. The project, spearheaded by Bloomington-based energy supplier and developer Geronimo Power, aimed to integrate the data center with three wind projects. The company had purchased land near Brewster and Reading with the intention of beginning construction next year. The current zoning ordinance remains in effect, preventing data centers in agricultural preservation districts.