Notes from the Oct 2026 meeting, the Todd County Board of Commissioners meeting…
Proposed Amendment to the Todd County Planning and Zoning Ordinance to create Section 9.24 –
Data Centers.
Staff Findings: Adam read through the staff report. This report is available for viewing upon request in the
Planning & Zoning Office.
Board discussion:
Adam, added the people from Great River Energy are a good resource to get them here, if they come together,
it would be the same night, with the intention to educate. They mentioned what the permitting process from
their perspective looks like, electrical rate impacts and infrastructure needs as topics.
Ken, what does Giant do?
Adam, it will be open to the public to come here. May be a special meeting. We would have to submit to Long
Prairie Leader by next week, then they distribute to Staples, Ind News Harold, Osakis, Long Prairie and Clarissa.
Tom says he has two guys (keep in mind supportive of DATA centers) Lucas, CEO of Giant. If we want to bring
him in and Chet Boden with Dept. of Employment and Economic Development for the State and he could reach
out to him too.
Adam, GiantVoices.com, out of Duluth, consultants, and continue to get in touch with Elise.
Adam, on U of M toolkit, there is a webinar on 6:00 PM October 14th, need to register. If want the link, you can
for one hour. Focused mostly on SE, MN.
Ken asked for the link.
Adam will send to everyone. Work with Jeff and Tom and reach out with Elise, send link for Webinar and reach
out to the other two gentlemen. Well-rounded knowledge base with all. Hope with AMC makes a model, but
for now we are starting from scratch.
Jim, anyone talk to any other counties?
Adam, yes, there are a couple ahead of us as the moratorium was ahead of us. Structure like solar ordinance,
set size, performance standards and the very large, we could not allow and define what that is, as an example.
Andy, not constrained quite as much.
Roger, heard any cannabis applications in the townships?
Adam, Bruce twp. has cannabis outdoor cultivation granted.
Roger, Steve Voss on the Kesslers? Should be grandfathered in.
Adam is communicating to the Kesslers the options offered.
Roger digging to the South taking out pine trees, off the right of way, last week he noticed.
Ken motioned to table the DATA Center ordinance, Roger seconded until November.
Roll call vote commenced as follows:
Ken Hovet
Board member
Vote (yes or no)
Roger Hendrickson
Yes
Yes
Lloyd Graves
Andy Watland
Yes
Yes
Jim Pratt
Motion carried.
Yes
Ken motioned to adjourn and Roger seconded. Voice vote to adjourn the October Planning Commission
Meeting, no dissention heard. Motion carried and meeting adjourn 7:25 PM.