Member-only story
Small Towns — Big Problems
Hermantown Minnesota City Council continuing plans to build a Data Center regardless of residents' outrage.
Hermantown Minnesota has become a hotbed of political and emotional opposition. News outlets reported weeks ago underhanded discussions regarding a new Data Center build in the area.
Hermantown Minnesota is a small suburb of Duluth Minnesota located at the tip of Lake Superior. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater source of not only our Nation, but the World. Minnesota's cool weather and abundance of freshwater have made the State prime real estate for Data Centers.
A few weeks ago, the city revealed footprint for the 1.8 million square foot facility was laid out in a 400-page environmental review document shared by the city who previously signed an NDA. The city had not outright referred to the project as a Data Center, but as a “communications services center”. Only adding to the confusion amongst residents.
“We’re not trying to be cheeky,” said Ronchetti. “We’re just trying to stick to what the government definitions are of stuff.” — City of Hermantown economic development director Chad Ronchetti
The city claims the Data Center will provide a significant tax base for the city, as well as pay their share (or more)…
