Hermantown approves Google’s 1.7M-sq-ft Minnesota AI data center after concessions
The Hermantown City Council unanimously approved Google’s proposed AI data center on October 30, clearing key local hurdles. The project spans over 200 acres and includes three buildings totaling roughly 1.66 to 1.7 million square feet, each larger than six football fields combined. Facing sustained opposition, Google scaled back the plan—reducing it from four buildings to three, capping heights…
Key points
- Google’s Minnesota data center approved by Hermantown Council after reducing scope from 4 to 3 buildings and dropping $80M tax-break request
- Project spans 200+ acres with 1.66–1.7M sq ft, generating $3M/year in taxes and a $210M decommissioning agreement
- Three lawsuits and state utility approvals remain pending, with power demand of 500MW exceeding regional residential capacity
Local approval does not authorize construction, as three pending lawsuits challenge the environmental review, zoning process, and land ownership. Google also needs approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for its 500-megawatt power contract, which exceeds the combined residential demand of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Rochester. Residents protested for months, citing concerns over noise, water use, and property values, while the city capped in-person attendance at 85 during the final meeting. Council member John Geissler framed the vote as a land-use decision, not an AI or tech issue, but the case will likely influence future data-center debates in Minnesota.
Google’s Massive Minnesota AI Data Center Got Approved After Protests Shut Down Two City Meetings
gadgetreview.com · 29 October 2026
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