MARCH 3, 2026
CONTACT:  stopthehermantowndatacenter@gmail.com

Google Needs to Find a More Suitable Location for Its Hyperscale Data Center Proposed in Hermantown: Residents React to Ownership Announcement 

Citizen groups note that nothing has changed with Google’s announcement of ownership of the proposed data center in Hermantown. The project is not yet permitted, there is ongoing litigation regarding woefully insufficient environmental review, and 78% of the proposed site remains privately owned.  Residents note that the subversion of the democratic process does not constitute a win-win situation for immediately affected residents.  Residents feel that their local and state governments have betrayed residents of Hermantown, Solway, Midway, Adolph and surrounding areas. Many residents will be deeply hurt financially, physically, and mentally. Their government has left them open for exploitation by a big tech company.   

“Stop the Hermantown Data Center is the voice for the neighborhood and the community.  We speak on behalf of thousands of concerned residents. Now that Google has knocked on our door, we want them to know that we still plan on making them accountable. We expect that they will do a proper environmental review prior to applying for permits and respect the legal process currently underway. We encourage them to look at the history of this project and learn that the proposed site was rezoned under false pretenses. We encourage Google to do the right thing by finding a site more suitable than a project of this size. The Adolph area is not the right place, with hundreds of residents, children and families, generations of agricultural and farming lands, hundreds-old growth oak trees, prairielands, wetlands, abundant wildlife, and designated trout streams.”

SHDC urges local and state officials to pause hyperscale data development in Minnesota until regulatory gaps, including environmental and public health impacts, are fully assessed and addressed. Further, pausing the projects versus unanimous approval, is needed to allow for several lawsuits to settle concerning the proposed data center project. Concerns of local citizens have been ignored by local, county, and state officials who signed non-disclosure agreements. 

To learn more about the efforts of SHDC visit https://Stopthehermantowndatacenter.org or visit SHDC’s Facebook page.