Data centers draw protest on Highway 25

Residents of Monticello, Minnesota, staged a protest on Saturday, March 21, along Highway 25, demonstrating strong opposition to proposed data center developments in the area. Approximately three dozen participants, organized by the group "Stop the Monticello Data Centers," gathered outside Hi-Way Liquors, waving signs with messages such as “People over profit” and “You can’t drink data.” Among the demonstrators, Scott Cutsforth explicitly called for a moratorium on data center development, highlighting a key demand from the community. The protest, which took place under unusually warm and clear spring conditions, drew supportive honks from passing motorists, indicating broader community engagement. This demonstration is the latest in a series of public actions against the proposed hyperscale data centers, an issue that continues to elicit strong reactions from Monticello residents as discussions surrounding the projects advance.