Elk River candidates discuss data centers, housing and city spending at forum
Elk River candidates discussed how the city should manage future data center development during a local election forum. Candidates generally supported the economic benefits of data centers but called for better siting, larger setbacks and clearer standards to address noise, infrastructure costs and impacts on nearby businesses, schools and homes.
Candidates for mayor and City Council in Elk River discussed data center development during an Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce forum. Mayoral candidate Matthew Westgaard and council candidates Eric Johnson, Cory Grupa and Shelley Binsfeld generally acknowledged that data centers could expand the city’s property-tax base, while noting that the facilities typically create relatively few permanent jobs.
Johnson said he supported the recently proposed Elk River data center in principle because it could reuse an existing building and potentially reduce energy costs, but opposed its proposed location near a brewery because of concerns about cooling-equipment noise. He and the other candidates called for clearer city standards, including greater setbacks from businesses, schools, housing and recreational areas, and for a broader planning process to identify appropriate sites before developers submit proposals.