# Hermantown approves Google’s 1.7M-sq-ft Minnesota AI data center after concessions

Digest AI · Hardware & Compute · published 2026-10-29T17:01:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/hermantown-approves-googles-1-7m-sq-ft-minnesota-ai-data-center-after

## Summary

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 at **33 feet**, and withdrawing a **$80 million tax-break request**. The revised project is expected to generate **$3 million annually** in property taxes for the city, with a decommissioning agreement valued at about **$210 million** for future protections.

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.

## 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

## Why it matters

The approval sets a precedent for AI infrastructure battles in Minnesota, balancing tax revenue with community opposition and grid strain. Google’s concessions may ease local resistance but do not resolve legal or utility hurdles.

## Sources

1. [Google’s Massive Minnesota AI Data Center Got Approved After Protests Shut Down Two City Meetings](https://gadgetreview.com/googles-massive-minnesota-ai-data-center-got-approved-after-protests-shut-down-two-city-meetings) (gadgetreview.com, 2026-10-29)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Hermantown approves Google’s 1.7M-sq-ft Minnesota AI data center after concessions", 29 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/hermantown-approves-googles-1-7m-sq-ft-minnesota-ai-data-center-after

---

Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record. Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse
JSON: https://digestai.news/story/hermantown-approves-googles-1-7m-sq-ft-minnesota-ai-data-center-after.json