This is an interesting discussion of the inherent advantages the Upper Midwest has for data center developers…
And a description of the video from FOX9…
As data centers expand across the region, questions remain about how much water and electricity they use and what that means for local communities. NDSU research specialist Bob Mayo joins us to break down the differences between facilities, the demands they place on infrastructure, and what the research shows.
Tensions ran high as Harmony city leaders were met with a flood of public feedback over a proposed data center that could be coming to the Fillmore County community.
In a packed meeting Wednesday, city officials reviewed more than 40 written submissions spanning over 80 pages of public concerns and questions from local residents over a two-week comment period.
The proposed facility has sparked community concern on multiple fronts. Among the worries is the site’s proposed water usage, which is projected to reach up to 60,000 gallons a month. Residents also voiced concerns over potential noise pollution and the threat of unchecked future expansions.
Under the city’s current drafts, developers would be blocked from expanding the site in the future without explicit city approval. Council members are also considering requiring developers to build sound barriers, or berms, to block runaway noise from neighboring residential areas.
They will meet again soon to talk more about it…
City leaders are sending the amendments back to the city attorney to fine-tune the restrictions and rewrite the draft. The attorney has a three-week window to return the revised language to city leaders.
The council is scheduled to review the next draft on September 16.
Radio Mankato reports on Fidium broadband expansion…
“Southern Minnesota communities deserve reliable fiber infrastructure,” said Kari Juni, vice president of Copper-to-Fiber & Network Transformation for Fidium. “This expansion reflects our focus on rural broadband, where systematic fiber access opens real opportunities for student learning, local business growth, and workforce retention. It’s the kind of infrastructure investment these communities need to thrive.”
Fidium now reaches more than 30,000 homes and businesses in southern Minnesota and greater-Mankato, and delivers future-ready speeds over its 5,000‑mile all‑fiber network in the state. Communities with fiber access include Eagle Lake, Garden City, Good Thunder, Janesville, Lake Crystal, Madison Lake, Mankato, Mapleton, New Richland, Nicollet, North Mankato, St. Clair, St. James and Vernon Center, with more locations to be connected soon across the state.
North Loop Neighborhood Association reports…
The North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA) has received clarity from the City on the rules, timing and process for the proposed data center.
Application Filed
Legacy Investing has filed an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with the City’s Community Planning and Economic Development Department (CPED). That application is not yet “complete,” which is not unusual at this stage. Once staff from CPED mark the application “complete,” it goes to the City Planning Commission. Use the link to sign up for notifications about their agendas, but if you live within 350 feet of the site, the City is required to notify you by mail and a public notice will also appear here.
Probable Timeline
Sept. 23: NLNA P+Z meeting: CPED says it’s confident we’ll have a complete or near-complete application in time for this meeting. In that case, P+Z would invite the developer to present the application, but the developer is not obligated to do so. The City only requires that developers “notify the neighborhood,” which Legacy did in an August 11 e-mail. This e-mail triggered P+Z’s invitation to present at its August 19 meeting.
Sept. 30: NLNA Board of Directors meeting: The board will discuss and vote to approve, reject or amend P+Z’s action from Sept. 23. This vote would be forwarded to CPED and the City Planning Commission.
Oct. 13 or 26: City Planning Commission meetings: The data center would likely be on the agenda of one of these meetings, where the NLNA vote would be included as part of CPED’s recommendation on approving or denying the data center. (Note, the Planning Commission also has a 9/28 meeting, but it’s highly unlikely the data center project would be ready for their agenda by then. If that changes, the NLNA will be ready to testify at the meeting.)
For more information on how public hearings work and how to participate, CPED provided this Public Hearing Guide. Once the Planning Commission votes on the proposal, it goes to the City Council.
This Data Center Proposal Will Be Decided on Current Rules
Members of the environmental commission agreed to revive an effort to bring a data center moratorium to the Faribault City Council’s docket during Monday night’s meeting.
“When we tried to bring (the initial resolution) to the city council we were still under the lawsuit. (The council) didn’t want to discuss it because of the pending litigation,” Environmental & Water Resources Coordinator Adam King said. “I can speak with the city administrator and see if I can get it on one of the agendas.”
The environmental commission actually already had approved a resolution, but the ordinance never made it to the council docket due to a then-ongoing lawsuit by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.
In the same meeting, commissioners agreed to form a three-person committee to discuss what data center-focused regulations and standards it wants to see adopted by the city. Faribault City Council previously asked the planning commission and environmental commission to create a joint plan to address data center ordinances.
The article outlines some of the perceived issues and concludes…
These ideas will be discussed by the three-person committee before being approved as part of the environmental commission’s recommendations to the planning commission. The joint plan will eventually make its way to city council.
The Pine County News reports...
A Pine County moratorium on data center developments has been extended to 12 months after the county board heard public testimony overwhelmingly calling for a longer pause.
The board previously adopted an interim ordinance to authorize a six-month moratorium on July 7 but did not hold a public hearing at the time.
According to county administrator Kelly Schroeder, Pine County has not received any inquiries regarding a possible data center project.
“This was something that was brought forward from the zoning board just as a proactive measure,” Schroeder said.
Schroeder said a moratorium gives the county time to study the topic and determine how best to move forward.
There was a public meeting…
Pine County residents voiced a multitude of concerns regarding data centers during the public hearing on Aug. 18.
Those ranged from light and noise pollution, environmental and ecological impacts, water usage, long-term economic viability, transparency in decision-making, and the length of time needed for a work group to study regulations and make recommendations.
And then they voted…
Commissioner Roger Nelson made the motion to reaffirm the interim ordinance authorizing the moratorium, extending it to 12 months with an effective start date of Aug. 18.
The motion was seconded by commissioner Matt Ludwig, and the vote passed unanimously.
The National Lifeline Association reports…
The National Lifeline Association (NaLA) is proud to release the results of our 2026 Annual Subscriber Survey. With over 83,000 responses across 20 detailed questions, this year’s data confirms a critical reality: for low-income Americans, the Lifeline program is not merely a discount—it is essential access infrastructure.
Why Lifeline Matters
As regulators and lawmakers evaluate the future of the Universal Service Fund, our survey data provides a clear picture of how Lifeline empowers households by bridging the digital divide.
Key Findings: How Subscribers Use Lifeline
Lifeline provides the connectivity necessary to improve life outcomes and access vital services:
- Healthcare Access: 66% of subscribers use their service for telehealth appointments (phone/video) and to order medication.
- Staying Connected: 81% rely on the service to maintain connections with family and friends.
- Employment: 37% utilize the service for work-related activities, including working from home, applying for jobs, and managing shifts.
- Education: 30% leverage the connection for educational purposes, such as online classes, training, and schoolwork for children.
The Reality of Affordability
Affordability remains the primary barrier to sustainable internet access.
- 96% of subscribers report that they cannot afford any monthly service fee.
- 85% of subscribers would lose service entirely without the Lifeline benefit, as they cannot pay the full, undiscounted price.
- For those without home internet, the monthly bill is the most frequently cited barrier—outranking both availability and awareness.
A Mobility-First Requirement
With 91% of subscribers preferring mobile wireless service with hotspot capability over fixed broadband, it is clear that mobility is a functional requirement, not a preference, for this population.
The Path Forward
The current benefit level supports incremental use but falls short of providing the sustained connectivity needed for full, consistent access to telehealth, remote work, and coursework. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of subscribers report limiting their data use every month to avoid exhausting their allotment.
I’m a big fan of TED Talks. This week I ran across a TED Talk from 2019 that feels like it was made for 2026. The title is “How Americans Can Become Tech Policy Activists” but it feels more like understanding how tech policy impacts your everyday…
Here’s a description from TED…
“When you’ve voted for a political candidate — be it federal, state, or local — did you ever take into consideration their stances on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or data privacy? You probably didn’t, but it’s time tech policy took its place in the spotlight for voters. In this talk former technology journalist and longtime media executive Caroline McCarthy offers a basic overview of what makes tech policy different from all the other political issues out there, and a framework for learning about it and getting involved with elected officials.
From the Office of Broadband Development...
Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates
- Section 106, federal updates
- Broadband Task Force, August meeting recap
- Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates
- Line Extension Connection Program, registration open for residents and businesses
Section 106, federal updates
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has proposed revisions to the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 regulations (36 C.F.R. Part 800). Changes are aimed at streamlining and clarifying federal historic preservation review. OBD is working to understand how, if finalized, the proposal could impact agencies and broadband project applicants trying to navigate the changes, specifically broadband. Additional resources to understand the 106 review process and proposed changes include:
- NTIA’s National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106, Consultation Process Fact Sheet
- ACHP’s Votes to Move Forward with Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Federal Permitting Reform Process 101
Please contact OBD at DEED.broadband@state.mn.us with any questions.
Broadband Task Force, August meeting recap
The Governor’s Task Force on Broadband met August 13 and heard a presentation from the Association for Small & Rural Libraries Kate Laughlin, Executive Director, and Brooke Van Eyk, Development Director. Additionally, there was a presentation from C-Tech’s Sara Syverson on Broadband Workforce Training: Building Career Pathways Through Hands-On Learning. OBD provided general office updates, as well as those on state and federal broadband programs.
Information from this and past meetings, as well as the rest of the 2026 meeting schedule, can be found on the Broadband Task Force webpage.
Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates
OBD is continuing to work through required project scope changes and preparing contracts for execution. These scope changes often include removing locations newly identified as already served or re‑awarding locations when providers decline an award. Updated information and resources can be found on the OBD BEAD webpage.
- Reminder! Register for the NTIA permitting webinar later TODAY, Wednesday August 26 at 2pm CT: Permitting That Delivers: Practical Tools & Strategies for Broadband Buildouts
The NTIA must approve project scope changes and has informed OBD the review process can take several weeks. The current federal contracting deadline is October 8, 2026.
Providers and community members can contact OBD at DEED.broadband@state.mn.us with questions.
Line Extension Connection Program, registration open for residents and businesses
Registration remains open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the Line Extension Connection Program.
For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete, please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.
More information and registration are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.
Carlton County officials unanimously passed a temporary, one-year countywide freeze on new data center developments after a public hearing that drew strong community feedback.
The vote followed growing concerns from residents and community members about how large-scale digital infrastructure could affect local resources and the county’s rural character, including worries about noise, water use, and power demand.
The interim ordinance immediately pauses the creation, construction, and expansion of data centers in Carlton County. It applies to facilities used for servers, computers, digital storage, cryptocurrency mining, and artificial intelligence operations.
During the moratorium, county staff, the Planning Commission, and the County Board cannot accept, process, or approve related permits, variances, subdivisions, or rezoning requests.
Digital access, which is a household’s ability to fully participate in the modern economy through the use of digital technologies, is an important facet of community well-being. Digital access is essential to connecting families to broader socioeconomic opportunities, but it depends on four dimensions: the availability of providers, the speed and quality of internet service, the affordability of services, and the digital skills of the user. Research by the New York Fed has shown that rural populations, LMI communities, tribal communities, and aging populations are the least likely to live in a neighborhood with access to three or more providers offering speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps (download data at 100 megabits per second and upload data at 20 megabits per second).
Other research shows that the affordability of a broadband connection can be another barrier to internet access for LMI [Low- and moderate-income] households. LMI communities pay a notably higher share of their income for broadband and are more likely to use slower or lower-quality plans. In areas with the least affordable broadband, 26.7 percent of households rely solely on mobile devices. Although mobile access suffices for everyday banking and initial job searches, the lack of a computer and broadband restricts participation in resume building, online education, remote professional work, and long-term financial management.
The article goes on to talk about the need to connect digital navigators and financial technology and skills…
- Awareness: Many people working in digital inclusion don’t know about financial access tools and resources like Bank On certified accounts.
- Navigation capacity: Staff often aren’t trained to help with both digital and financial needs. Lockett said, “A digital navigator knows how to help someone set up an email account or apply for broadband subsidies. They may not know how to help that same person open a Bank On certified account, understand a credit report, or access mobile banking safely.”
- Supportive handoffs: When organizations refer people to each other, it is often a quick handoff without ongoing support. Lockett explained, “What’s needed is a trusted navigator model that maintains continuity throughout both the digital and financial access journey, rather than handing someone off and trusting things will work out.”
I’m borrowing from the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society’s recap of the NTIA’s notice of action on reopening the Digital Equity Competitive Grants...
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published a public notice on August 25 seeking public comment on the application forms it will use for a revived Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, the first public confirmation that work on the program’s relaunch is underway. The notice opens a 60-day comment period under the Paperwork Reduction Act, with comments due October 26, 2026, and is a revision of an existing clearance (OMB Control Number 0660–0055) rather than a new one. NTIA estimates 800 applicants will respond, each spending roughly 18 hours on an application. Eligible applicants track the statute: state political subdivisions and instrumentalities, Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities and Native Hawaiian organizations, nonprofits that are not schools, community anchor institutions, local educational agencies, workforce development entities, and partnerships among them. The step follows a July 15 federal court ruling that the Digital Equity Act’s racial-minority “covered population” provision is unconstitutional but severable, after which the Department of Commerce told the court it would reinstate the program without that provision and target a December 2026 opening. Notably, the notice’s description of the program makes no mention of the statute’s covered populations, the severed provision, or the litigation. The comment deadline also leaves little room in the calendar: a second 30-day notice and OMB review would ordinarily follow, putting final clearance at early December at the earliest.
Members of the “Stop the Hermantown Data Center” group met Sunday to discuss recent developments and their push for a seat at the table in Hermantown City Hall.
During the meeting, the group focused on local government actions they say could impact their mission, including a judicial hearing approving the launch of a Hermantown Charter Commission.
Advocates say the push for a charter commission stems from ethics concerns regarding how local leaders have handled the data center project.
They specifically pointed to issues with zoning, transparency and public input.
The City of Hermantown was contacted by the reporter but did not respond.
The old Star Tribune printing plant is a big part of that conversation. Legacy Investing, based in Arlington, Virginia, which also converted the Sleep Number building into a data center, agreed to purchase the 13-acre printing site.
“The thing I’m thinking about is the people in that neighborhood, and how do they most benefit from a potential development,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
Frey says there is an opportunity if done right. The comments Friday come as the city deals with a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, while its tax base isn’t what it once was.
“I believe they need to be regulated. We need to make sure that we’re ensuring livability and health and safety for our communities,” he said. “Simultaneously, we should work to make sure that they can help drive down the taxes for everybody else.”
Frey says one of the key goals is making sure data center buildings do not become the sole use of the property, but rather a space the community can enjoy, such as a restaurant or event space.
A proposal to turn the defunct Minnesota Star Tribune printing plant, one of the few remaining industrial sites in downtown Minneapolis, into a data center has become a contentious and defining issue in the neighborhood.
The Minnesota Design Center and the North Loop Neighborhood Association on Saturday reviewed three sessions of community input collected at a series of workshops last week from more than a thousand Minneapolis residents.
And the first public presentation about the developer’s plans for the site met strong public opposition Wednesday night. Hundreds of residents spilled out the doors of the North Loop Neighborhood Association’s meeting room, across the street from the plant.
Local hostility to the plan mirrors rising public skepticism of data centers in Minnesota and around the country as some centers have driven up local utility bills and tech companies have signed secret agreements with cities about future projects.
The developer, Virginia-based Legacy Investing, has already signed a purchase agreement for the property with the Star Tribune and submitted a conditional use permit application to the City of Minneapolis.
The city will decide whether the project moves forward. Data centers have been top-of-mind for city leadership, and the Minneapolis City Council is in the process of updating its zoning rules for the centers.
Legacy Investing does not need the neighborhood association to sign on to the project, but Wednesday evening, two representatives of Legacy Investing attempted to get public buy-in at the neighborhood’s planning and zoning committee meeting.
Here’s what the planners shared…
Chernikoff and his colleague, Daniel English, pitched what they describe as a small, 20-megawatt, data center that they say wouldn’t strain the local energy grid or use more water than “two to four residential homes worth of water consumption.” That’s a lot less than nearby commercial buildings, Chernikoff said.
Legacy Investing would buy the plant and some land around it. Chernikoff said the data center would be an economic boon to the city, but also “provides an economic engine for these adjacent parcels to allow them to be developed into whatever the city sees as its highest and best use.”
One possible result of the meeting…
The full board of the North Loop association meets at 6 p.m. Aug. 26. They’ll decide whether to agree with the planning and zoning committee’s letter asking the developer for more information and asking the city to delay the project by a month.