From the Institute for Local Self Reliance…
Building for Digital Equity webinar series returns on October 8th at 3:00 pm ET with a timely question: with federal support for digital equity work in retreat, what does it actually take to keep this work alive, growing, and reaching people at the local level? Register here!
I love a good makerspace story, especially in Minnesota! This one from the University of Minnesota caught my eye…
[Student Daquari Hollins] started thinking, ‘Well, is there anything that exists that shows the sustainability practices of every product that you buy?’”
Hollins could not find an app on the market that offered that level of transparency, so he decided to build it himself.
The result is UConserve, a sustainability lifestyle app designed to give consumers immediate environmental transparency right at the grocery store shelf. By allowing users to scan the barcode of any domestic product, the application generates a screening-level estimate of its carbon footprint alongside deeper sustainability factors like acidification and eutrophication.
The tool bridges a critical gap for everyday shoppers trying to make ethical choices. In a time when socially conscious shoppers can find it difficult to understand a company’s carbon footprint, the app provides a glimpse into the hidden environmental toll of manufacturing, transportation and disposal.
He found a way at an AI Makerspace…
Turning his vision into a reality required bridging two historically isolated worlds: environmental data analysis and advanced computer science. When Hollins initially pitched the idea to peers in an environmental student group, he was met with skepticism. The work would likely be tedious to calculate an accurate environmental estimate for even a single item.
“I took that feedback in stride,” he says. “I was like, OK, it’s a huge undertaking, but that’s not impossible.”
To solve the scale problem, Hollins looked outside traditional sustainability disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach led him to the University of Minnesota’s AI Makerspace, where he collaborated with its manager, Joe Finnegan, and eventually consulted nationwide life-cycle assessment (LCA) professionals. By combining environmental science with machine learning, the team found a way to take massive, vetted government databases and translate them into an instantaneous mobile tool.
Located in Walter Library, the College of Science and Engineering’s AI Makerspace serves as a hybrid physical and digital sandbox designed to break down barriers for students from all academic backgrounds. Whether a student is studying computer science or philosophy, such as Hollins, the space provides free access to high-powered computing resources and expert guidance.
I am amazed at the issues coming up for county boards and city/township councils these days based on increased technology needs and opportunities. I’ve been writing a lot about local governments learning more data centers. Today, it’s a community that is talking about a satellite ground station facility in their community. Similar to the data center issue, elected officials are dealing with a topic that they might not know well. And as is often the case with technology, the parameters change, often more quickly that the regulations can keep up.
Wright County Commissioners are dealing with a satellite ground station facility. They have concerns, such a proximity to the local airport. They are grappling with understanding how a satellite ground station facility fits into existing plans and zoning as well as rules and ordinances.
I find it helpful to read the proposed resolution (text also pasted below) and then watch the watch the video from the Board meeting (from Sep 16, 2026) to understand the conundrum. There are differences in the understanding or interpretation of existing rules and ordinances how that guidance can help with satellites. You can see that board members are getting frustrated because they don’t have polices in place to help direct their actions.
In the end, the Board decided (3-2 vote) not to pass the resolution but then unanimously voted to send this to the revisor to follow up. Also, any action (from the satellite ground station) would be stopped if station moved more than 500 cubic yards of land alteration, which is the existing rule.
Here’s the Wright County meetings proposed resolution:
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR TO ISSUE A ZONING
ADMINISTRATOR’S OPINION REGARDING THE SATELLITE GROUND STATION FACILITY
UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP
WHEREAS, the Wright County Board of Commissioners has identified concerns regarding public safety, aviation safety, consumer protection, and broadband grant eligibility associated with a satellite ground station facility under construction in Rockford Township, Wright County (the “Ground Station”); and WHEREAS, the Ground Station is located at 2337 5th St SE, Buffalo, Minnesota 55313, within Rockford Township, Wright County; and
WHEREAS, Wright County Zoning Ordinance § 155.025 vests the Zoning Administrator with authority to interpret the County’s zoning ordinance and to issue written opinions regarding the conformity of proposed and ongoing land uses and structures with the ordinance’s requirements;
WHEREAS, the Ground Station is located within the County’s Agricultural (AG) Zoning District, and Wright County Zoning Ordinance § 155.048 sets forth the conditional, interim and permitted uses within the AG District;
WHEREAS, a satellite ground station facility consisting of more than one satellite dish is not listed as a conditional, interim or permitted use under §§ 155.048 or 155.106; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural (AG) Zoning District’s conditional, interim or permitted uses under Wright County Zoning Ordinance § 155.048 do not constitute a zoning district where commercial or industrial uses are generally permitted and of the installation, maintenance, or use of satellite earth station antennas within the meaning of 47 C.F.R. § 25.104, and the preemption set forth therein does not apply; and
WHEREAS, Wright County Zoning Ordinance § 155.106 permits one satellite dish per property as an accessory use, and the Ground Station, consisting of multiple satellite dishes and associated infrastructure exceeds the scope of the single-dish accessory use permitted under § 155.106; and
WHEREAS, Wright County Zoning Ordinance § 155.048(E) provides that any use not listed as a permitted, conditional, or interim use is prohibited; and
WHEREAS, the Board finds it necessary and appropriate to direct the Zoning Administrator to formally review the Ground Station and immediately issue a written Zoning Administrator’s Opinion addressing its compliance with the County’s zoning ordinance before construction proceeds further;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Wright County Board of Commissioners as follows:
The Board finds, based on Wright County Zoning Ordinance § 155.048 that a satellite ground station facility is not listed as a permitted, conditional, or interim use within the Agricultural (AG) Zoning District, and that the Ground Station is therefore a prohibited use within that zoning district.
The Zoning Administrator is directed to issue a written Zoning Administrator’s Opinion, consistent with the Board’s findings in this Resolution, determining that the Ground Station is a prohibited use under Wright County Zoning Ordinance § 155.048.
The Zoning Administrator is directed to issue, concurrent with or as part of the Zoning Administrator’s Opinion, a stop-work order halting further construction of the Ground Station pending compliance with the Wright County Zoning Ordinance.
The Zoning Administrator is directed to issue the Zoning Administrator’s Opinion and stop-work order within two business days of the adoption of this Resolution, and to promptly transmit copies to the Board, Rockford Township, the property owner, and to the company proposing to construct the Ground Station
The Fergus Falls Journal reports…
If a corporation purchased farmland in an Otter Tail County township to build a data center, and the township lacked a zoning ordinance, would the township have any say? That was a question posed at the Otter Tail County Board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The conversation on data centers was spurred by a request from Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard. He asked for permission to apply to attend a two-day training regarding best practices for data center development that is set to take place in December in South Carolina. It was noted that only 15 applicants from across the U.S. would be accepted.
I hope the Deputy Administrator has an opportunity to share what he learned in the training. It sounds like the conversation at the board meeting posed many potential scenarios and part of the reason was understanding that the county may have more resources than townships to address the topic. Here’s one example of an issue…
Commissioner Sean Sullivan, who represents District 5 of Fergus Falls, responded, “I think we discussed that we would take them as they came before us individually.”
Commissioner Wayne Johnson, who serves District 2, which includes Star Lake, added, “My understanding, currently, is if it stands outside lakeshore we really have nothing to say.”
The county has regulations in place for property that has shoreline on waterfronts , or is in close proximity to a body of water. The oversight of such projects often starts with the county’s Planning Commission. According to the county website, “The planning commission considers projects located in the shoreland areas for conditional use permits” and “projects located in the non-shoreland areas.” Typically, the commissioners review the planning commissioners recommendations and either approve or deny them.
An example of township versus county…
“So it is up to each township then?” Bucholz asked.
“Yes,” Johnson responded.
Bucholz asked what happens if a township doesn’t have a zoning ordinance.
“Landowner rights, basically,” Johnson replied. “The guy wants to sell it and they want to develop it and the township doesn’t have any say in it; it’s game on for the data center.”
And impact on local fire stations…
Another concern that data centers may bring to the doorsteps of townships has to do with the volunteer fire departments that often serve those rural areas. Berg-Moberg explained the power source that a data center may use may require specialized equipment and additional training by fire department members, which may lead to increased costs for townships.
Fergus Falls is not alone in grappling with these decisions.
The Task Force heard from Otter Tail County on their broadband experience. It was nice to hear about the impact Blandin has had on their access. The Office of Broadband Development gave an update of how things are going with BEAD and other programs. John Horrigan from Benton Institute for Broadband and Society talked about access and adoption and trends over time to percentage of coverage and speeds as well as changes in recent goals from speed, access and affordability to more access and affordability.
The Task Force also decided to send a comment to the FCC in support of E-Rate
Meeting Agenda Continue reading
The CEOs of the country’s top AI companies are unifying in their call for a global slowdown on AI development, after two former researchers at Anthropic shared concerns that AI is becoming too powerful too quickly and could ultimately threaten humanity’s survival.
Manjeet Rege is the director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of St. Thomas and also author of the book “Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence: Frameworks, Risks and Society.” He spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about AI technology, its risks and regulation.
Here are the questions they ask. You can check out the article for the answers:
Using Ookla Speedtest Intelligence® data, this report identifies the states that are currently delivering the minimum standard for fixed and satellite broadband speeds as established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to the highest percentage of Speedtest users. It also singles out the states that need the most improvement when it comes to delivering the minimum standard for broadband to residents.
Here are a few of their top takeaways:
Minnesota ranks 25 for access to fixed broadband at of 100/20 Mbps with the following:
Minnesota ranks 5 for access to users achieving Starlink LEO broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps with 55.0 percent.
An invitation from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance…
Are you a local government doing amazing work in digital inclusion? Has your community committed to ensuring everyone has access to affordable internet and a working (and appropriate) device? Do you support and encourage, through funding and resources, quality instruction for your community members?
If so, join the 58 Trailblazers and Visionary Trailblazers and be recognized as a 2026 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer!
Applications are now open through October 13, 2026, so visit the Trailblazer page for more information and the application link. Start now!
Harmony City Council to review data center ordinance,
The video talks about the preparation the council has done and the public reponse.
The discussion will continue at the Joint Planning Session Meeting, where they plan to discuss Data Center Ordinance 5th Draft on Sep 16 2026 at 6pm at Harmony Community Center – Council Room (225 3rd Ave. SW, Harmony, MN 55939).
The data center discussion has officially reached Bemidji City Hall, as the Bemidji Planning Board voted 6-1 for a one-year moratorium on data centers during its Monday meeting.
Given this vote, the motion will move forward to crafting the ordinance and hosting a public forum.
If passed by the city council, there would be no council action to approve data centers exceeding 10,000 square feet in size for one year. In lieu of this, a study would be completed to see how a data center would affect the local community.
The vote wasn’t unanimous..
The lone vote against the moratorium came from board member Mark Dickinson.
The City Council will vote…
The lone vote against the moratorium came from board member Mark Dickinson.
With at least two new faces guaranteed on Faribault’s next city council, Councilor John Rowan says City Hall is ‘making a bet’ that data center regulations proposed by the planning commission will be easier to pass with the current council — and he doesn’t think the city should be fast‑tracking the vote before new members are seated.
Here’s their timeline…
The planning commission revealed its timeline on bringing its recommendations for data center standards to the Faribault City council on Sept. 1. The plan will see its recommendations finalized in October, a public hearing on the standards on Nov. 2, and finally will be presented to the council Nov. 24. The council previously voted to extend Archer datacenter’s timeline to present an updated environmental assessment worksheet to March, an effective moratorium on its development. If the council votes on the plan before January, councilors elected on Nov. 2 will not be able to vote on it.
The article goes on to give points of views from different folks and roles in the community.
Hometown Source Press & News reports…
The Albertville City Council reviewed a concept for a data center and approved a 7.49% preliminary tax levy increase for 2027 at a meeting on Sept. 8.
City Planner TJ Hofer presented the council with a concept for a data center from Nodiac Oakwood. A concept review allows for a city council to give feedback on an item without making a formal decision.
Hofer said Nodiac proposed to construct a modular data center at the intersection of 70th Street and Karment Avenue northeast, immediately adjacent to a Wright-Hennepin electrical substation. The data center would be located on a newly-created 3.66-acre parcel on a larger lot.
Hofer said that Nodiac’s data center would not be considered a “hyperscale” data center.
More details on the proposed building…
Nordic’s proposal included 20 “modular data center” modules, 10 electrical transformers, 30 concrete equipment pads for cooling units and other equipment, parking and security fencing.
The building would not be permanent, but “factory built enclosures on concrete pads or similar foundations,” per the narrative. Nodiac estimated that the site would operate for 30 years or more.
Hofer said Nodiac would not use municipal water or sewer and it would truck in its own water and propylene glycol mixture that had a five to eight year cycle. Nodiac would then truck the old water to a wastewater facility.
Nodiac believes 20 megawatts of energy will power the center, and did not detail the impact that would have to local electrical users. While dependent on usage and other factors, one megawatt generally can power 400-900 homes, according to a worksheet published by U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission via energy research group UtiliPoint.
Worth noting…
The City Council did not take any formal action on the concept review.
But…
The next Albertville City Council meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Albertville City Hall.
Taxpayers in Inver Grove Heights won’t have to foot the bill for a multi-million-dollar lawsuit but will likely still get the data center at the core of the issue, much to many residents’ chagrin.
On Monday night, the Inver Grove Heights City Council approved a change to its one-year data center moratorium that now excludes a company that sued the city because of it.
That company, Qlevr — which wants to build a 54,000-square-foot facility at the former Travel Tags building along Carmen Avenue East — says it was in the development process and in good standing with the city for its proposed data center project before that moratorium was passed, so it sued.
After Monday…
The city shared the following about the next steps:
- The City Council will consider the major site plan application at its Sept. 28 meeting;
- If the major site plan application is approved at that meeting, the developer would need to have an approved development contract with the City. That is a standard requirement for all developments in Inver Grove Heights;
- Once that is approved, the speed at which the project can move forward depends on how quickly the developer applies for and is issued a building permit from the City.
That major site plan application process has already been addressed, where the council set when generators can be used and sound testing done by the city.
Less than a week after a data center developer from Virginia backed out of a plan to build one in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood, other residents are preparing for any future proposals.
“I really hope to see a momentum established and committed to concrete action in ensuring the safety and livability of our community,” said Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization (MTNO) Greenspace & Ecology Coordinator Amy Pond.
Pond and MTNO Board Chair Lexi Clendenen hosted a data center discussion in the northeast part of the city Monday night for people to learn, ask questions and be part of a united community, according to a press release.
While I learned in an earlier post that the rules are not always the same for folks in and outside of the seven-county metro area, this still may be a topic that connects rural, urban and suburban communities. For folks in Minneapolis…
Some representatives of varying groups will likely be at the Minneapolis Planning Commission meeting on October 13. Public comment is expected as the city shapes new zoning ordinances for possible future data centers.
Earlier this year, the city council approved a temporary moratorium on data centers in most of the city to give councilors time to create these new standards. To learn more about their goals and next steps, click here.
Leading artificial intelligence voices are raising concerns about whether safety measures are keeping pace with rapidly developing AI systems. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned of serious potential risks in a new essay, drawing public agreement from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk, while President Donald Trump responded to concerns about AI safeguards.
See the fill video below: