Nobles County Commissioners Urged to Oppose Data Center on Agricultural Land

Concerns raised over potential heat dome impact on local agriculture and economy

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:40pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still life featuring a collection of shiny, geometric metal and glass objects arranged elegantly on a clean, white background, symbolizing the abstract concepts of corporate strategy and risk in the data center industry.A conceptual still life captures the abstract tensions between data infrastructure and agricultural land use.Worthington Today

An open letter to the Nobles County Commissioners urges them to deny a zoning change that would allow a data center to be built on agricultural land. The letter cites research showing data centers can create a 'heat dome' that raises surface temperatures by 3-6 degrees within a 6-mile radius, potentially impacting over 15% of the county's total acreage and more than 20% of its cropland. The author argues this could negatively affect agricultural production, animal operations, farm-related businesses, and the county's tax base.

Why it matters

The proposed data center project has sparked significant debate within Nobles County over the potential impact on the local agricultural economy. This letter highlights an important but lesser-discussed issue around the heat-related effects of data centers on surrounding farmland and livestock, raising concerns about the broader economic consequences for the county.

The details

The Nobles County Planning Commission has already denied the requested zoning change to allow the data center on agricultural land, but the final decision now rests with the County Commissioners. The letter argues that the heat dome created by data center operations could reduce soil moisture and crop yields, impact animal operations, and have ripple effects on farm-related businesses and the county's tax base. It also notes the data center's proximity to the watershed that feeds Whiskey Ditch.

  • The Nobles County Planning Commission has reviewed the data center proposal and denied the requested zoning change.
  • The Nobles County Commissioners will consider the text amendment to the zoning ordinance at an upcoming meeting.

The players

Nobles County Commissioners

The elected officials in Nobles County, Minnesota who will make the final decision on whether to approve the zoning change for the proposed data center project.

Nobles County Planning Commission

The county planning body that reviewed the data center proposal and recommended denying the zoning change request.

Ronald A. Wood, PhD

A former Worthington City Council member, WREDC chair, and Worthington Water and Light Commission member who authored the open letter urging the Nobles County Commissioners to oppose the data center project.

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What they’re saying

“Research and ultimate evidence concerning a heat dome created by existing data centers has shown that a six-mile radius dome causes a 3 to 6 degree increase in surface temperature. In the proposed project, this means that 72,384 acres of rural acreage would be impacted by data center operational practices.”

— Ronald A. Wood, PhD, Author of the open letter

“When thinking of the impact on land, think of a dryer. You put a wet shirt in a dryer and through heat and air it dries. Likewise, when you heat the soil moisture is withdrawn!”

— Ronald A. Wood, PhD, Author of the open letter

“Question — is reducing the economic viability of up to 20% of Nobles County agriculture worth it?”

— Ronald A. Wood, PhD, Author of the open letter

What’s next

The Nobles County Commissioners will consider the text amendment to the zoning ordinance at an upcoming meeting, where they will make the final decision on whether to approve the data center project.

The takeaway

This letter highlights an important but often overlooked issue around the potential environmental and economic impacts of data centers on surrounding agricultural communities. The Nobles County Commissioners must carefully weigh the long-term consequences for the local economy and farmland before approving any zoning changes.