Reader's View: Media misleads regarding data-center support

Hermantown resident Ed Montgomery expressed concern that local media reports are misrepresenting the level of community opposition to Google's proposed data center in Hermantown, Minnesota. Following the March 3 announcement identifying Google as the company behind the project, Montgomery observed several news stories suggesting a mixed public reaction. However, Montgomery, who has attended numerous Hermantown City Council meetings, noted that these meetings were often so crowded that residents had to stand outside, indicating significant community engagement. He contends that the overwhelming majority of speakers at these public forums have expressed opposition to the data center, a sentiment he feels is closer to a 90/10 split against the project rather than the 50/50 impression given by some news outlets. Montgomery acknowledges that some supporters, including chamber of commerce representatives and non-Hermantown residents, have spoken in favor. Nonetheless, he believes the overall framing by local media has created a misleading narrative about the true extent of local support for the data center, urging future coverage to better reflect the strong community opposition.