By Howard Thompson
Publication Date: 2026-03-03 22:43:00
HERMANTOWN, Minn. (FOX 9) – Google has been named as the developer behind the controversial data center proposed in Hermantown, Minn.
Local perspective:
Google was announced as the developer behind the data center proposed for a plot of land near Arrowhead Station near Midway Rd and Highway 2 on the southwest side of Hermantown.
The project is currently facing an environmental review and a lawsuit from a group opposing the project.
Plans for data center
Big picture view:
Just last week, FOX 9 learned that Google was also behind a data center proposed in Pine Island, Minnesota.
Google’s proposal for Pine Island has gained some tepid approval from environmental activists. The proposal deals with some of the chief concerns of activists: energy use and water use.
Under Google’s plan, the Pine Island facility increases access to green energy and uses “advanced air cooling” instead of water cooling.
Former Biden Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm called the data center a “model…
