Opposition to data centers draws new candidates to run in Pine Island

Data centers that power artificial intelligence have become a flashpoint of debate across the state. But in the 4,000-person city of Pine Island, that debate is pushing some to throw their hats into the political ring. Pine Island is the site for a proposed Google hyperscale data center, which is projected to be built on about 88 acres of land, but it could expand to more than 400 acres. Many in Pine Island feel as though the project came out of nowhere, saying plans for it seem to have been hashed out in secrecy. “[Residents] feel betrayed, let down,” said mayoral candidate Mark Lang. “Everyone feels that this should have been something put out to a vote, or at least some kind of say in it from the people." Others, like Interim Mayor Brandi Veith Staloch, who's running for a two-year term, say the money and jobs on offer by Google are too good an opportunity to pass up. Read the full story here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/17/data-centers-bring-out-new-political-candidates-in-minnesotas-2026-election-in-pine-island Story by Catharine Richert. Video by Payton Whaley.