Blandin on Broadband

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Blandin on Broadband

MN Letters to the editor on data centers (Sep 24-Oct 22, 2026): data center is an election hot topic

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This is the third segment in my data center collection of public commentaries, including letters to the editors and opinion pieces.

It’s meant as a quick scan of what topics are rising to the top for others. I try to be balanced, but this is more illustrative of what crosses my path in the course of a month.

Ramstad: Readers wonder if an AI chatbot took my job as a columnist
Sep 24, 2026, Minnesota Star Tribune
Ramstad’s views on AI regulation and a new demographic study produced a lot of reader reaction.

Minnesota forum tackles growing anxiety over AI
Sep 24, St Cloud Times
A recent Minnesota forum highlighted public anxiety and policy questions surrounding artificial intelligence.

Jepson talks funding pressures, wakeboats and data centers at candidate forum
Sep 24, 2026, DL-Online
“We’d have to think long and hard about what that data center would bring to Becker County,” Jepson said.

Data centers: Can Democrats regulate and still build?
Sep 25, 2026 MinnPost
It’s not a choice between being pro-environment or pro-growth. With the right safeguards in place, data centers can be both.

Letter: Data center puts profits over human well-being – Post Bulletin
Sep 26, 2026 Post Bulletin
“Supporting building a hyperscale Google data center this close to homes means putting economic interests ahead of the health, safety, and quality of life of the residents.”

One Moment, Please… The Data Center Bait
Sep 28, 2026, Fillmore County Journal
“When we look at the demand for data centers, we need to look in the mirror.”

Candidate’s View: Hermantown data-center proposal a Duluth problem, too
Sep 28, 2026, Duluth News Tribune
From the column: “Even with tech giants scaling back plans and pledging mitigations, the sheer footprint of this industrial campus will alter your local landscape forever.”

Opinion | Small towns can’t wait. We need Walz’s help now.
Oct 2, 2026 MN Star Tribune
“We’re calling on the governor to enact a moratorium on data centers until we have time to build stronger, more centralized state oversight.”

Letter to the Editor: Contributing thoughts on data centers
Oct 3, 2026, Bemidji Pioneer
“The key point for Bemidji to consider would be the power generation package any data center would bring to the table. The right package would add to the local network’s capacity and resiliency, without increasing rates.”

Pro/Con: Let’s not make the cure of AI regulation worse than the disease
Oct 2, 2026, Duluth News Tribune
From the column: “Regulation (sometimes) serves nobody. AI regulation is a minefield that could lead to unintended consequences.”

Letters to the editor: Thankful for freeze on data centers
Oct 5, 2026 Moose Lake Star Tribune
“We want to thank the Carlton County Commissioners for voting in favor of Ordinance no. 42, the Carlton County Data Center Interim Use Study.”

Kathryn Hoffman: MCEA lawsuit seeks full picture on data center
Oct 6, 2026, Post Bulletin
Google didn’t respect our state’s democratic laws and processes. Instead, it published an environmental study that didn’t disclose even basic facts about their proposed project.

Counterpoint: Transparency matters in data center development
Oct 6, 2026, MinnPost
A recent MinnPost Voices piece suggested a proposed Minnesota project met that standard. It did not.

Data Centers Need Minnesotans. NDAs Won’t Win Their Trust.
Oct 6, 2026 Minnesota Times
Developers have legitimate business interests to protect. Minnesotans deserve a meaningful say in projects that could reshape their communities.

Kathryn Hoffman: MCEA lawsuit seeks full picture on data center
Oct 6, 2026 Post Bulletin
Google didn’t respect our state’s democratic laws and processes. Instead, it published an environmental study that didn’t disclose even basic facts about their proposed project.

Despite the controversy, data centers could be attractive to struggling rural towns
Oct 9, 2026, KAXE
All right, if there is one thing liberal Democrats, MAGA Republicans and most Americans in between might agree on, it’s data centers.

Reader’s View: Duluth already home to data centers
Oct 11, 2026, Duluth News Tribune
“Those upset about data centers might check it out.”

Letter: Full disclosure needed on data center proposals
Oct 13, 2026, Post Bulletin
“These tactics appear designed to deliberately bypass community input and shield corporate interests from public scrutiny.”

Brown: What are Minnesota’s human designers to do in this wave of AI slop?
Oct 15, 2026, MN Star Tribune
AI posters and advertisements are everywhere, with a distinctive look that’s hard to describe. So, I talked to some professionals.

Letter: Voters should weigh potential costs of Monticello’s proposed data center
Oct 15, 2026, Monticello Times
Monticello’s proposed data center has become a focal point in this year’s local election. Data centers are also focal points in elections across the country.

Perry: Will the AI backlash leave low-income students behind?
Oct 16, 2026, MN Star Tribune
Wealthier schools are at the forefront of focusing on a more human-centered education that in some cases is cutting out AI altogether.

Letter: Voters should weigh potential costs of Monticello’s proposed data center
Oct 15, 2026, Monticello Times
Monticello’s proposed data center has become a focal point in this year’s local election. Data centers are also focal points in elections across the country.

Data Center Rug Pull & Council Subpoena Power: A Message from Council Member Shaffer
Oct 17, 2026, Minneapolis Times
“That optimism evaporated at the Planning Commission on Tuesday evening.”

Some Projects Are Laying The groundwork for Data Centers
Oct 20, 2026 Stevens County Times
“Where does David and Goliath draw the line?”

Native News Online Survey: Readers Oppose Data Centers Near Tribal Communities, Demand Tribal Say
Oct 22, 2026, Native News Online
Survey finds environmental concerns and tribal sovereignty are central to readers’ views on data centers and artificial intelligence

Residents have reservations about Google’s decommissioning agreement in Hermantown (St Louis County)

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Northern News Now reports…

Ahead of a city council vote next Monday that could clear the way for Google to begin developing its data center in Hermantown, residents are learning more about what will happen when the data center is no longer needed.

A Google representative speaking at a city council meeting earlier this week announced that the company has developed a decommissioning agreement in response to city and resident feedback. City officials say the agreement provides reassurance about the future of the project site. Some residents remain unconvinced.

What Google says…

In response to that concern from residents, Hermantown Economic Development Director Chad Ronchetti says the city initiated the decommissioning agreement with Google.

“It provides protections,” Ronchetti said.

Under the agreement, if the site goes unused, Google will need to keep buildings maintained and file a plan to either repurpose the site or clear it. Ronchetti says the city’s preference is for reuse.

“It keeps the site productive, it keeps it active and it keeps it on the tax rolls,” Ronchetti said.

There is still concern…

“Once a wetland is destroyed by industry, there’s no way to bring it back,” Lofald said.

The decommissioning agreement would be a 50-year agreement. Google did not respond to a request for an interview.

Willmar City Council approves moving forward with the Willmar Connect project

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The West Central Tribune reports…

 The Willmar City Council on Monday in split votes approved moving forward with planning for phase two of the Willmar Connect project.

Willmar Connect is the city’s initiative to install a city-wide, open-access broadband network on which multiple internet service providers can operate. It is owned by the city and managed by Hometown Fiber.

Phase one of the initiative, which will serve all homes and businesses west of First Street South between the railroad tracks and 19th Avenue Southwest, is under construction and expected to be mostly complete by December.

Phase two of the project is everything east of First Street and south of the railroad tracks. Phase three is everything north of the railroad tracks.

Monday night’s action approved the scope of work and professional services proposal from Hometown Fiber and the engineering services proposal from Bolton & Menk for phase two at a cost of $536,506.

Funding was approved…

City administration recommended funding this portion of the project using the Community Investment Fund and then reimbursing the fund later either with bond proceeds or revenue from the network. The motion to do that was approved unanimously.

The article goes on to detail the trials and tribulations of a buildout in a residential area and the financial conundrums of phasing fiber t less populated areas.

Verizon wants to discontinue landlines in MN but that could leave customers without reliable service

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The Minnesota Star Tribune reports...

Major telecommunications companies, including Verizon, are pressing forward to discontinue aging copper technology in Minnesota and nationwide, saying the old networks are obsolete, expensive to fix and used by few. Providers are taking steps forward in a lighter regulatory environment under the Trump administration.

Accelerating the death of the traditional landline is a rule change this spring from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The FCC eliminated certain requirements for telecommunications companies and revised standards of what qualifies as an “adequate replacement” service. Among the newly approved replacement types is wireless, which Verizon is now pitching to Bradley and his neighbors.

As impending disconnection notices land in Minnesotans’ mailboxes, some customers are worried they’ll be forced onto spotty service, or disconnected altogether, especially those living in exurbs or rural Minnesota where fiber networks are incomplete or unavailable.

Satellite also is a less-viable option for those living under heavy tree canopy or in hilly areas. And in remote spots, copper lines can stay live when the power goes out, a comfort in emergency situations.

Scandia Mayor Steve Kronmiller estimates 100 properties in his town are currently outside the fiber network. He fears residents near the St. Croix could have trouble connecting with a 911 operator.

“There’s nothing the city can really do. We’re at the mercy of these providers,” Kronmiller said. “If one person dies, that’s more than we need.”

Verizon spokeswoman Diana Alvear said the company is committed to maintaining telephone service to customers who have no available alternatives, “keeping them connected.”

This extends beyond one provider…

Frontier in recent years fell into the crosshairs of state regulators and telecommunications watchdogs over subpar service and deceptive marketing practices. After closing its $20 billion deal to buy Frontier in January, Verizon inherited a legacy Minnesota service network stretching from the Twin Cities metro to northern lake country.

Since Verizon proposed its plan to begin shutting down the traditional landline network, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has received two dozen protest letters, including from residents of northern Minnesota communities Brimson, Ault and Fairbanks, as well as St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay.

The FCC does not want to force providers to maintain he legacy network…

In its latest rule issued in March, the FCC claims states cannot “force providers to devote resources to maintaining deteriorating legacy networks.” Verizon is relying on that position as the company attempts to leapfrog state regulators.

The telecommunications company filed a lawsuit last month claiming federal approval from the FCC means the company does not need a green light from the state commission to proceed with its plan. The dispute is ongoing.

Customers are caught in the middle and are engaging…

For the better part of a decade, a small committee in Scandia has been working to get broadband internet set up across town, relying on government infrastructure grants.

Residents are hopeful the build-out project by provider MidCo will finish before end of year. But Bradley said construction could stretch into June depending on weather, well past Verizon’s proposed cutoff date.

Even though Bradley and his wife, Claudia, have cellphones and use Wi-Fi calling at home, the landline is essential for when those other options often fail. When his mother-in-law was living with them, she had health problems that required using a landline for ambulance service.

It’s also how family and friends have gotten ahold of the Bradleys at critical moments, like when his twin grandsons were born and went into the neonatal intensive care unit.

“The only way [my daughter] could get ahold of us was through the landline,” Bradley said.

MN 1st Congressional District race faces questions about AI-generated ads

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KTTC reports…

The race for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District is facing questions over alleged altered imagery in a campaign ad.

Last week, KTTC reported on potential legal issues raised over an image featured in a reelection ad for Republican Rep. Brad Finstad. The image shows DFL candidate Jake Johnson alongside Gov. Tim Walz, noting Walz’s endorsement of Johnson.

Johnson’s campaign says the image is fake and was likely AI-generated. …

A proven deep fake election-related violation is a crime, with a conviction carrying possible fines and prison time.

Finstad chimes in…

Finstad called the situation laughable, saying Johnson is “afraid of the fact that him and Tim Walz are good buddies.”

The second-term congressman said he wasn’t concerned about any potential consequences.

The ad continues to air, with Finstad saying he has no plan to remove it.

Data centers come up in race for Steele County Commissioner District 1 seat

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Owatonna’s People’s Press reports…

Justin Ohnstad and Gary Spatenka are vying for the Steele County Commissioner District 1 seat, which is soon to be vacated by James Brady. Ahead of the election, both discussed their perspectives on public safety facilities in Owatonna, data centers and their primary focus if elected.

Here’s what Justin Ohnstad had to say…

As data centers are a major topic of interest in neighboring communities, Ohnstad was asked what his approach would be to the possibility of their construction in the future.

“To my knowledge we’re not being approached for that at this time. There are a lot of questions that need to be asked: location, utility consumption, rate increases and things of that nature,” he said. “How will it impact if it can be a positive impact on the residents of Steele County? It’s definitely worth exploring. Which is not a yes answer. However, let’s ask the questions and figure out what benefits it might bring to the county.”

Ohnstad also discussed the benefits and potential for overreach inherent in the use of Flock cameras.

“I don’t have a ton of research on them. However, my personal belief is I don’t need a camera to take a picture of my license plate three times a day when I come in and out of town,” he said. “That being said, if something were to happen to a community member like an abduction, (Flock cameras) would be an asset for law enforcement and potentially expedite the recovery which could be invaluable. I think government serves a role and it certainly has to have an involvement in people’s daily function, but they are tiptoeing on the line with being too much Big Brother for me.”

Here’s what Gary Spatenka had to say…

His opinion on data centers is contingent on future conversations with the community.

“The big thing right now we have going on in the county is going to be these data centers and that hasn’t really come up yet,” Spatenka said. “I think that we have to sit down as a county and have open meetings to discuss these data centers because we don’t really know a lot about them yet.”

Data centers come up in Eagan City Council race between Paul Bakken, Gary Hansen, Scott Armitage and Jason Narverud (Dakota County)

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Hometown Source reports…

Four candidates for two open seats on the Eagan City Council debated perspectives on local issues at a forum moderated by the League of Women Voters-Dakota County and broadcasted on Eagan Television inside Eagan High School studio.

Eagan constituents will chose two candidates on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election that includes incumbent council members, Paul Bakken and Gary Hansen, and candidates Scott Armitage and Jason Narverud.

Here’s what they said about data centers…

During the forum, candidates addressed many issues. One question was: “Eagan was the first city in Minnesota to pass a moratorium on new data center development. As a council member, do you support the moratorium as the right way to study impacts like electricity demand and water use before more data centers are built? When the moratorium expires, what specific standards would you want in place before Eagan allows new data center projects to move forward?”

Narverud said he agrees with the unanimous council vote to issue a one-year moratorium, saying “What you do in that year, I think, it is super important as well. What is your end goal? I think being patient is good, but at some point in time, are you deferring the answer and not actually answering it. I don’t want to become too patient. I want to make sure that we answer the questions. We have data centers here and they have been good neighbors for the most part, I would say. I think what we are talking about is hyperscale data centers, what people read in the news. What happens if they decide to walk away? What happens if there’s a leak? What happens if they want to decommission in a certain way? Those are the kind of details that we need to have those questions answered upfront,” Narverud said.

Bakken said the moratorium allowed the city time to study the data center issues, update city ordinances and protect public health and safety. “Some of those things are water usage, noise, light pollution, and other types of negative externalities that are not compatible with existing established surrounding areas. There is a little bit of frustration here because the city Eagan is currently being sued by a would-be data center, so those of us who are on the council are a little bit restrictive in what we can or cannot say,” Bakken said.

Armitage said during his campaigning and door knocking, residents talk about concerns regarding data centers. “Some of the issues, obviously, are the forever chemicals, the noises, the limited employment, the air pollution, but there are opportunities to limit water use and electricity when data centers are built, and the city of Eagan has that opportunity to do that,” Armitage said, adding more data and research needs to known on the longterm effects from data centers.

Hansen said the city’s moratorium allows the city time to collect information and figure out how to best regulate data centers. Hansen said Eagan has four data centers that can be considered smaller data centers that are an auxiliary to businesses. “But we have to be careful about where those data centers are located. They can’t be near residential neighborhoods because of the nuisance that they do, in terms of the noise and the vibration, and we know all about that,” Hansen said.

 

Data centers come up in MN Senate Race: Views from Peggy Flanagan and Michele Tafoya

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MN Star Tribune reports…

The rapid expansion of data centers has become a political flashpoint in Minnesota, as technology companies seek land, electricity and water to power the infrastructure behind artificial intelligence.

Supporters see an opportunity to attract investment and expand the state’s technology industry. Opponents worry that the enormous facilities could strain local resources, increase utility bills and leave communities with little influence over developments that could reshape their surroundings.

The issue has emerged in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, with Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan taking a more skeptical approach to the industry’s growth and Republican Michele Tafoya emphasizing economic development alongside local oversight.

Both candidates say residents should have a meaningful voice in decisions about new facilities and should not be left paying for their construction or operation. But Flanagan has called for stronger protections against corporate influence, while Tafoya has argued that Minnesota should welcome new investment if developers are transparent about the costs and consequences.

Their positions come as communities across Minnesota debate proposed projects and state policymakers grapple with how to regulate an industry whose demand for electricity and water could have far-reaching consequences.

The article outlines their views on the following data center issues:

  • Data center development and local control

  • Electricity costs and water consumption

  • Transparency and corporate influence

  • Regulations, tax incentives and environmental protections

  • Should data center construction be paused?

Pew outlines 4 cornerstones of broadband to drive State policies

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Pew Research reports…

This issue brief identifies four cornerstones of a state‑level policy framework that, when pursued together, create the conditions necessary for universal broadband access:

  • Dedicated broadband deployment funding.
  • Affordability requirements for broadband service.
  • Minimum speed standards.
  • Network scalability requirements.

These cornerstones are not a prescriptive model that states must adopt in identical ways. Rather, they are a foundational set of policies that can be adapted to each state’s needs and that together address availability, affordability, performance, and long-term quality, creating the conditions for universal access. States should still consider ways of building on these cornerstones, including policies to sustain SBOs, alleviate barriers to broadband deployment, enable program evaluation, and help residents get online and make effective use of their connections, including through digital skills training and access to devices such as computers and tablets. Research indicates that such policies help safeguard affordable access and support competition, investment in scalable broadband infrastructure, and economic return.

DEED Awards More Than $2.5 Million in Grants to Minnesota Colleges and Universities for Employer Workforce Development Projects

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DEED announces…

Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced 14 workforce developments grants totaling over $2.5 million to eight Minnesota educational institutions that are partnering with Minnesota businesses to develop and deliver customized workforce training programs. Grantees expect to train more than 2,000 workers through these programs.

“Workforce training programs strengthen Minnesota’s economy by helping workers build their skills and lay the foundations for long-term success for businesses and Minnesota families. By creating a pool of trained program graduates, we can connect highly-skilled workers to careers in high-demand fields with family sustaining wages,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Minnesota’s higher education institutions are essential partners in that work, with proven track records in delivering effective, customized training programs for Minnesota businesses.”

Participating businesses must partner with an accredited educational institution for these Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership (MJSP) grants, awarded to the educational institution to develop and deliver custom training for the business. Programming covered by the grants includes onboarding and training new workers, upskilling current workers, promoting workforce diversity, defining career pathways, developing communication and leadership skills, and more.

Since 2019, MJSP has awarded $47.5 million to train more than 47,000 workers and has leveraged $79.1 million in private funding.

Grants announced today include:

$466,977 to Normandale Community College for a partnership with Seagate Technology

Seagate Technology, with operations in Bloomington and Shakopee, is the world’s leading supplier of hard disk drives. Seagate will invest in a training program that will reduce turnover, mitigate the impact of retirements and create pathways for advancement at all levels. Normandale Community College will develop a training program for incumbent employees focusing on building skills in four areas: leadership and supervisor excellence, applied problem solving, operational excellence and improvement and data, automation and emerging technology skills. Participants completing the courses in operational excellence and improvement will be eligible to take the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) exam to become Certified Production Technicians.

$432,869 to the University of Minnesota for a partnership with Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific, a leading global medical technology company, needs to equip employees with AI-related and digital skills by integrating these capabilities into existing roles and prioritizing workforce retention. A partnership with Carlson School of Management will develop the AI Demystification Initiative, a three-part leadership development and business impact program designed to build strategic AI and analytics capability. The initiative consists of three integrated components: AI Project, Strategic Implementation and AI Operational Execution. Instruction will be delivered in classrooms, hands-on AI labs and structured faculty coaching. Upon completion, engineers and leadership will receive a certificate from Carlson Executive Education.

$357,637 to Hennepin Technical College for a partnership with Medtronic

Medtronic is a Minnesota-based global leader in healthcare technology. Medical device manufacturing is undergoing rapid automation and technological advancements, resulting in a growing skills gap in equipment maintenance for complex advanced robotic and automated systems. Hennepin Technical College will develop and deliver comprehensive automation robotics training to incumbent employees. Courses will include Automation Controls, Industrial Electricity and Electronics, Introduction to Robotics, Fuji Automatic Numerical Control (FANUC) and Fluid Power Motion Control and be fully or partially aligned with industry-recognized certification exams.

$300,000 to Century College for a partnership with Aprios

Aprios, headquartered in Brooklyn Park, is an employee-owned custom manufacturing company specializing in high-precision plastic injection molding and additive manufacturing. The company serves medical devices, industrial, filtration and aerospace markets. Century College will create a training program that will develop technical, operational and leadership capabilities across the organization. Classroom instruction will be combined with applied, workplace-based learning, incorporating theory, case studies, guided exercises and hands-on experience within Aprios’ manufacturing environment.

$260,000 to Normandale Community College for a partnership with Advanced Web Technologies

Advanced Web Technologies (AWT), headquartered in Minneapolis, specializes in custom labeling, packaging and precision converting solutions. AWT will partner with Normandale Community College to develop a scalable, equitable and sustainable training program to support the increasing complexity of the production, administration, supervisory and leadership roles of its workforce. Training will be delivered on-site through instructor-led sessions, cohort-based learning and applied, scenario-based exercises. Upon completion, trainees will receive Lean Six Sigma Certifications.

$200,000 to Hennepin Technical College for a partnership with Heliene USA

Heliene USA is a lead producer of solar photovoltaic modules with high-capacity manufacturing facilities located in Mountain Iron and Rogers. Heliene will partner with Hennepin Technical College and Minnesota North College to create a course to invest in consistent education and skill development at their facilities. The course will ensure all entry-level and existing employees have sufficient background to support growing production and troubleshooting needs, integrate safe, efficient and quality practices across all functions, and develop a minimum level of cross-functional knowledge. Training completion will result in hours-based certificates for each skill area with opportunities for credit-for-prior learning transfer for both colleges.

$135,626 to St. Cloud State University for a partnership with Park Industries

Park Industries, headquartered in St. Cloud, is a leading manufacturer of stone fabrication machinery. Park Industries wants to build a comprehensive, scalable workforce development system that expands training capacity, advances leadership capability, strengthens customer-facing effectiveness, and enhances workplace culture and safety. St. Cloud State University will develop a two-track training program consisting of Track One: Organizational & Workforce Development and Track Two: Sales & Customer Facing Excellence. All courses will be delivered in-person or online with interactive, scenario-based instruction and hands-on practice. Track One participants will earn industry-recognized HubSpot CRM and SMEI certifications.

$130,000 to Century College for a partnership with J&B Group

J&B Group, located in St. Michael, is a family-owned and operated cold chain provider of protein and deli products for a variety of supply chain needs. J&B wants to invest in a comprehensive, multi-phase leadership development strategy to address a skills gap in leadership competencies. The company will partner with Century College to develop a two-phased development and change capability initiative. Phase One: Accelerate Leadership Development Program will consist of instructor-led workshops focused on foundational leadership behaviors. Phase Two: Advanced Leadership Development & Succession readiness will focus on deepening leadership capability through the Leadership Mentoring Program, Self-Awareness & Leadership Assessments and ExperienceChange Simulation for hands-on practice in navigating realistic change scenarios.

$49,997 to Hennepin Technical College for a partnership with La Machine Shop

La Machine Shop, located in Ham Lake, is a family owned and operated precision machining contract manufacturer services. La Machine Shop is preparing to operate in a more regulated, defense-ready operating environment and needs to train its incumbent workforce for the transition. Hennepin Technical College will design a 38-hour training program with nine modules covering secure handling of controlled technical information, enclave-user workflows, paper CUI procedures, cybersecurity awareness, approved communication and subcontractor transfer practices, incident recognition and escalation, supervisor accountability and internal sustainment. Instruction will be delivered using a blended approach, including workshops, small groups, awareness-based instruction and scenario-based exercises.

$49,963 to Anoka-Ramsey Community College for a partnership with MRG Tool & Die

MRG Tool & Die is a family-owned small business in Faribault operating as a sole-source tool and die company specializing in close-tolerance metalworking. MRG wants to provide AI readiness training to transition its workforce and support effective integration of AI into core business operations. Anoka-Ramsey Community College, in partnership with MRG, will develop a twelve-month training program consisting of five courses totaling 40 hours of in-person instruction. Training will focus on building AI literacy across all occupational levels while piloting AI-driven projects that address specific business challenges.

$49,794 to Anoka-Ramsey Community College for a partnership with Mate Precision

Located in Anoka, Mate Precision Technologies specializes in work holding tooling devices and technologies for machinery, computers, peripherals, networking and electronic equipment industries. Mate wants to invest in workforce training to adopt, apply and integrate next-generation technologies within manufacturing processes and functions, including AI- and IT-based data analytics. Anoka-Ramsey Community College will develop a four-course training program totaling 44 training hours to be delivered in-person and on-site over a twelve-month period. Current employees will be selected for training from technical trades and manufacturing occupations.

$49,625 to Anoka-Ramsey Community College for a partnership with PE Services

PE Services, located in Eagan, delivers comprehensive civil engineering and construction services, including design and plan preparation, specification and plan review, construction oversight, and schedule analysis. The company also provides robust contract administration, project controls, and environmental compliance support. PE Services needs to train its workforce in AI as the company adopts AI-based tools to improve operational performance. In partnership with PE Services, Anoka-Ramsey Community College will develop a five-course training program totaling 48 training hours to be delivered in-person and on-site over a twelve-month period.

$49,000 to MN State Community & Technical College for a partnership with Alexandria Industries

Alexandria Industries designs and manufactures precision aluminum components. Partnering with Alexandria Industries, MN State Community & Technical college will provide customized training consisting of a 30-hour Serving Through Leadership Program for current and emerging leaders and a 15-hour Professional Development Program for employees across the organization. Training will strengthen leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, communication, professional development and organization culture, and be delivered through self-assessments, group discussions, reflection activities, team exercises, coaching conversations and real-world workplace applications. Participants completing training will receive certificates of completion.

$40,000 to Minnesota State University, Mankato for a partnership with Capstone

Capstone, headquartered in North Mankato, is an industry-leading publisher of children’s books and digital content provider for children and young adults. Capstone has identified AI as a key opportunity for increasing productivity, reducing manual work and accelerating workflows. MN State University, Mankato will provide AI training in two online courses: Foundations of AI Intelligence, 1.5 hours of interactive virtual delivery of key topics including ethical considerations, company policy and how to generate accurate and useful outputs, and Applied AI for Role- and Department-Specific Workflows, four hours of hands-on, role-specific training for integrating AI into daily workflows in content development, research, data analysis and communication.

Intermountain Infrastructure Group (IIG) is building 250 miles of fiber in MN then expanding westward

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Stevens County Times reports...

Through the summer, crews working for Anderson Underground of Sauk Rapids have been installing four large conduits along Minnesota Highway 9 through Grant, Stevens, and Swift counties. They have also been working in the cities along the path.

Installation of the fiber conduit has raised a lot of questions about who is doing it and why. Many conversations have revolved around the conduit serving data centers that could be planned in the region.

Others say the project is part of the Heartland Fiber Project, a $700 million fiber-optic cable project that would run from Chicago through Minnesota to Montana and Wyoming.

After some research, the Stevens County Times learned that Billings, MT-based Intermountain Infrastructure Group (IIG) is behind the project.

“In Minnesota, IIG is installing about 250 miles of new fiber-optic cable to create a middle-mile network,” Brandon Coates, a spokesman for the company, told the Times in an email.

More details…

In October, the Minnesota Department of Transportation district office in Detroit Lakes prepared a permit for IIG to bury a fiber optic conduit along Minnesota Highway 9.

It is installing three high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduits that are 2 inches in diameter, and one that is 2 inches in diameter with seven microfiber cables inside. The other conduits are empty.  The permit says that “One 432 Ct fiber will be placed in a 2” conduit, and another 432 Ct micro fiber will be placed in the 7-way.”

Coates was also very specific that the project has no link to data center construction that serves the exploding needs of the artificial intelligence industry.

Xcel explains cost protections, grid reliability as Monticello council presses for answers about proposed data center

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Monticello Times reports…

Will a massive data center drive up residents’ electric bills? Could its demand for power threaten reliability? And if electricity becomes scarce, who gets priority?

Those were among questions City Council members put to Xcel Energy representatives Oct. 12 during a special meeting examining the potential effects of the proposed data center development.

Xcel officials said state regulations and recently approved customer protections are designed to prevent large electricity users from shifting their costs to existing customers. They also emphasized projects of this size generally require new power generation and extensive infrastructure planning.

But while the utility sought to reassure council members, questions remained about the proposed Monticello development, including how electricity would be allocated during a major grid emergency.

City Administrator Rachel Leonard said the discussion was arranged to address recurring concerns about the proposed Edmonson Business Center campus south of 85th Street NE and east of Highway 25.

Other questions included:

  • Who pays for the power?
  • Does more demand mean more generation?
  • What happens during an emergency?
  • Could data centers lower electric bills?

The conversation (and study) is not completed…

Although Xcel officials discussed how large data centers are generally served, the electrical requirements for Monticello’s proposed development have not been finalized.

Andre said the project is in the facility study stage, which Xcel expects to complete by the end of 2026. The study will produce preliminary estimates of necessary infrastructure, costs and timelines.

Council member Charlotte Gabler questioned how Xcel could plan for the project when its eventual end user has not been publicly identified.

Andre explained that the utility begins with anticipated electricity demand supplied by the developer, using factors such as acreage, building plans, zoning requirements and experience with similar projects.

EVENT Nov 17: Brown County’s Board of Commissioners to talk about data centers

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The New Ulm Journal reports…

Brown County’s Board of Commissioners set a public hearing date of Nov. 17 at 9:02 a.m. to establish an interim ordinance that would put a moratorium on permitting, expanding, or establishing data centers in Brown County’s unincorporated areas.

The moratorium would place a one-year block of any data centers looking to be established in Brown County.

Commissioner Anton Berg said the meeting is not about whether people are in favor of data centers or not, but rather to establish documented plans for navigating any potential approaches regarding data centers in Brown County.

Brown County Administrator Sam Hasen said that because of the recent progressions in data centers, there are not many state statutes that address navigation of data center development.

“I think this is a good idea to put the brakes on for a minute and catch your breath and get ourselves lined up the way we should be,” Hansen said.

The board draft ordinance reads: “data centers are an emerging land use with significant impacts related to energy, demand, water consumption, noise, heat generation, stormwater management, and land use compatibility.”

Public hearing and documented plans would allow the board to better understand data center impacts specific to Brown County.

EVENT Nov 18: Faribault Council chats about data center ordinances (Rice County)

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Faribault Daily News reports...

Please plan to join us at Faribault Public Works (1200 Belview Trail) on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. for a timely discussion about data center ordinances.

This Council Chat provides an opportunity for the public to interact with the City Council and City staff regarding the various proposed data center-related ordinances. Staff will have various stations focusing on key ordinances, such as land use, water and sewer, noise, lighting and other ordinances of interest. The public will gain a better understanding of the intent of the ordinances and why the ordinances must be legally defensible and enforceable.

The city holds Council Chats every month to further its commitment to community engagement. These inclusive and welcoming opportunities are held at various facilities and times to help ensure residents can become involved in the City’s continued success.

To see a full schedule of upcoming Council Chats, visit www.faribaultmn.gov/749/council-chats

More details on Hermantown City Council’s agreement for Googles proposed data center (St Louis County)

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WDIO reports…

The Hermantown City Council reviewed updates on the first-of-its-kind adaptive reuse and decommissioning framework for the proposed Google data center. Backed by a $210 million parent-company guarantee, the 50-year framework requires Google to restore the site if operations halt or tax payments lapse.

Explaining the financial backing behind this deal, city staff noted: “Effectively, this is a parent-company guarantee. Google will be signatory to this. Google will be part of this agreement. The finances of Google will be on the line for this agreement. And as such, they’re obligating $210 million for this agreement. And this obligation will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index…”
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To protect neighbors, the agreement leaves Google strictly at fault for any private well damage, requiring them to cover all repairs or pay to connect affected homes to city water. City leaders also shared details on a voluntary program for neighbors living within a half mile of the site.