Full story: Nobles County Planning Commission votes to keep data center out of ag preservation area

The Nobles County Planning and Zoning Commission has voted against changing the county's zoning ordinance to permit data centers as a conditional use in agricultural preservation areas, a decision that could halt Geronimo Power's proposed data center in Elk Township. The vote came after a nearly two-hour public hearing at Worthington's Memorial Auditorium, which saw 19 individuals speak in favor of the project and 18, plus five written comments, against it. Supporters, including representatives from Geronimo Power and Nobles Cooperative Electric, highlighted economic benefits such as increased property taxes, job creation, and improved utility rates and reliability for cooperative members. David Reamer, Geronimo's chief development officer, noted the chosen site's access to significant power supply and fiber optic infrastructure as key advantages. Marta Lasch, Geronimo's permitting lead, suggested developing a specific data center ordinance with protections for the community. However, opponents raised concerns about potential negative health impacts from air and noise pollution, environmental damage to local ecosystems, and the loss of fertile agricultural land. Shelly Onken, Bloom Township treasurer, articulated the community's desire to preserve their rural way of life and farming heritage, contrasting it with the monetary benefits offered by developers. Nobles County Commissioner Robert Demuth Jr. expressed a lack of public support for the project and a need to explore other options before amending zoning, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making. The Nobles County Board of Commissioners will make the final decision on the matter.