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Hermantown Today
By the People, for the People
Google Reveals Plans for Massive Data Center in Hermantown
Tech giant to fund new clean energy infrastructure as part of development
Published on Mar. 6, 2026
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Google has announced plans to build a massive data center in Hermantown, Minnesota, a project that has generated intense public scrutiny and pushback from local residents. The $650 million development would include four buildings, each up to 50 feet tall and 300,000 square feet, on a 200-acre site. As part of the project, Google has agreed to help fund the construction of 700 megawatts of new clean energy resources, including 300 megawatts of wind power and 400 megawatts of battery storage, to power the facility.
Why it matters
The announcement that Google is behind the controversial Hermantown data center project has raised concerns among local residents about the potential impacts on the community, including noise, light pollution, increased traffic, and the huge amounts of electricity and water required by data centers. Critics are calling for stricter regulations and a moratorium on new data center development in the state.
The details
Google's data center in Hermantown would be one of about a dozen hyperscale data center projects proposed around Minnesota. The tech giant has also announced plans for another controversial data center near Rochester, in the small community of Pine Island. As part of the agreement with Minnesota Power, Google has promised to contribute $5 million to energy affordability and efficiency programs for residential customers and to utilize advanced air-cooling technology that will minimize the facility's water usage.
- Google announced its plans for the Hermantown data center on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.
- The Hermantown City Council approved a zoning change for the project last October, following a contentious meeting where dozens of residents blasted the city for a lack of transparency.
The players
An American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products.
Minnesota Power
A utility company that provides electricity to customers in northeastern Minnesota, including the Hermantown area.
Mortensen
A construction and development firm that is the project developer for the proposed Hermantown data center.
John Mulder
The city administrator of Hermantown, Minnesota.
Jen McEwen
A state senator who represents the Duluth area in the Minnesota legislature.
What they’re saying
“This collaboration with Minnesota Power serves as a model for how large-scale digital infrastructure can facilitate the expansion of clean energy and battery storage while contributing to local energy affordability.”
— Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy at Google
“Having Google choose to come to our service territory and pay for new resources like this is really helping us bring more clean energy resources online.”
— Jennifer Cady, Vice President of Public Policy and External Affairs at Minnesota Power (MPR News)
“We definitely know there are concerns in the community. We're really hopeful by Google announcing that they are the developers and then announcing the details of how they plan to operate in the community, that that will be a new chapter in this story.”
— Jennifer Cady, Vice President of Public Policy and External Affairs at Minnesota Power (MPR News)
“I am deeply concerned about the way this hyperscale data center proposal has developed. The public has a right to meaningful input about massive developments with environmental and economic costs proposed in their communities. That has yet to happen in Hermantown.”
— Jen McEwen, State Senator representing the Duluth area (MPR News)
What’s next
The Hermantown City Council will need to approve a development agreement for the project to proceed. The city of Pine Island previously approved $36 million in tax incentives as part of its agreement to lure Google to the area.
The takeaway
The announcement that Google is behind the controversial Hermantown data center project has reignited concerns among local residents about the potential impacts on the community. While the tech giant has promised to fund new clean energy infrastructure, critics are calling for stricter regulations and a moratorium on data center development in Minnesota until a comprehensive regulatory framework is in place.
