Tag Archives: Data Centers

EVENT April 15: Local Dollars, Local Solutions: Digital Equity Tax Money & How to Negotiate Better AI Data Center Deals

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From the Institute for Local Self Reliance…

As Americans file their taxes this Tax Day, digital equity leaders across the nation will gather for a timely exploration of how public dollars can be used to strengthen communities – and how local advocates can negotiate better deals as AI data centers rapidly expand, lured with tax breaks.

Co-hosted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Community Broadband Networks Initiative and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), the next Building for Digital Equity livestream – “Local Dollars, Local Solutions: Digital Equity Tax Money & How to Negotiate Better AI Data Center Deals” – promises to offer insights from frontline forces working to ensure broadband and technology investments serve public needs rather than distant corporate interests.

Sponsored once again by UTOPIA Fiber, the B4DE livestream is slated for April 15 at 3 p.m. ET and will bring together national policy experts, local leaders, and community advocates working in the trenches of digital inclusion. 

Registration is now open above

The livestream will be available (and later archived) on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn with live viewer questions answered by the invited speakers and presenters, which is still being finalized. We will also be live posting from the Community Broadband Networks Bluesky page.

MinnPost gives a current overview of Data Center issues at the MN Legislature

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MinnPost reports…

A coalition of Minnesotans opposed to the development of data centers has a wishlist for the current legislative session with a hierarchy of priorities.

Banning local officials from signing non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs, would be nice, they say. Ditto for requiring public hearings and disclosures prior to the approval of data center permits.

What the group wants above all, though, is a moratorium on proposed projects in Hermantown, Pine Island, Monticello, Farmington, North Mankato and other cities.

“We’re begging, urging the state to pause,” said Rebecca Gilbertson, who lives about a half-mile from a planned Google data center in Hermantown.

There’s a discussion about NDAs…

NDAs are common tools — too common in the eyes of those advocating against them — used in economic development. They allow plans to simmer behind the scenes before any public scrutiny can boil over at public meetings. The normalization of NDAs prompted a St. Louis County commissioner to propose a ban on them last year.

Business groups, however, argue that NDA bans would stymie development.

“Without some level of confidentiality during those early conversations, companies may be unwilling to explore potential projects in Minnesota while evaluating investments across multiple states or competing communities within the same region,” wrote a group of economic organizations in a letter submitted to the Legislature.

And discussion on proposed moratorium on data centers…

A moratorium bill introduced by Sen. Jennifer McEwen, DFL-Duluth, would halt local permits for data centers until the state’s Public Utilities Commission submits a report  to the Legislature on energy usage, water usage and other impacts. The bill would delay development until at least a year after the report’s submission, theoretically pushing back local approvals into 2029.

Industry leaders talk about Data Centers facing permitting, economic, and community Support obstacles

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

Only a third of Americans are supportive of data centers, which is less than their support of building a stadium or airport near their home, said Chris Jordan, the program manager of AI and innovation at the National League of Cities.

“Then if you ask that third of people, what if we increased your electricity bills by $10 a month? That number of supporters is basically split in half already,” Jordan said.

Jordan joined Moderator Chris Seidt and CTC Technology & Energy Principal Analyst and Market Intelligence Specialist Jacob Levin for a conversation on the landscape of data centers, including both the economic promises and pressure to move quickly. At the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors’ webinar Monday, the panelists spoke about residents’ concerns on environmental impact and community cost.

Daily Yonder catches the podcast wave – talking about Data Centers

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Something new to listen to on a long drive – Yonder Radio. Here’s a description from their newsletter…

This week’s hour opens with a look at what happens when major corporations like Meta and Amazon bring data centers to rural communities. Also in this episode: hear how rural films performed at this year’s Academy Awards, take a road trip through some of the wonders of roadside America, and step back in time to explore ancient folk pottery traditions still alive in North Carolina.
Plus, enjoy a mix of rock and blues, along with an interview featuring an artist from Blue Mountain Tribe, three-time winners of the Native American Music Awards.

The data center discussion happens in the first 10 minutes. The rest of the podcast is fun too – from scenic byways to the Oscars through a rural lens.

EVENT March 26: Developer hosts meeting on proposed data center in Inver Grove Heights (Dakota County)

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Limitless Media reports…

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS: Residents will have an opportunity later this month to learn more about a proposed data center project planned for a site along Carmen Avenue in Inver Grove Heights.

According to city information, the project developer will host a neighborhood meeting regarding a proposed data center at 5842 Carmen Ave. E., the former site of Travel Tags, Inc.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Community Center, located at 8055 Barbara Ave.

City officials say the proposed data center building would be approximately one-third the size of the former Travel Tags facility that previously occupied the property.

The neighborhood meeting will be informal and hosted by the developer, allowing nearby residents to hear a presentation about the project and ask questions. Officials note that residents can provide comments during the meeting, but it is not a formal public hearing.

New MN Bill introduced: Municipalities prohibition from entering into nondisclosure agreements SF4379

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates: This meeting is happening today (Mar 19).

From the MN House:

Committee on State and Local Government
Chair: Sen. Tou Xiong
11 a.m.
Hybrid hearing: Room 1100 Minnesota Senate Bldg. and Remote
*Agenda items may be added or removed. Please submit documents to Committee Administrator, mikayla.mtanous@mnsenate.gov by Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 2:00pm. Late submissions may not be posted in advance of the hearing or included in prepared materials for committee members. TESTIMONY: Testimony is limited. The number of testifiers and length of time permitted is at the discretion of the chair and is subject to change. Please plan accordingly. If you would like to testify, please email the Committee Administrator, mikayla.mtanous@mnsenate.gov by Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 2:30pm. Requests for Zoom testimony must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Include the bill number, your name, title and/or organization where applicable, and whether your testimony will be in support of or opposition to the bill. WRITTEN TESTIMONY AND HANDOUTS: Written testimony is encouraged. To submit written testimony or hand-outs, email Committee Administrator, mikayla.mtanous@mnsenate.gov by Wednesday, March 18 at 2:30pm. Please email the submission in following pdf format: yearmonthday_bill number_organization_testimony-or-handout Example: 20250329_SF2373_MinnesotaOrganizationName_Testimony
Agenda:
Call to Order

S.F. 4379-Maye Quade/Maye Quade: Municipalities prohibition from entering into nondisclosure agreements.

New MN Bill introduced: requiring public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development HF4296

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

From the MN Senate:

Senator Xiong from the Committee on State and Local Government, to which was referred

S.F. No. 4296: A bill for an act relating to local government; requiring public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 462.

Reports the same back with the recommendation that the bill be amended and when so amended the bill do pass.

New MN Bill introduced: relating to modifying tax exemption for data centers HF4173

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

From the MN House:

Smith and Lee, K., introduced:

HF. No. 4173, A bill for an act relating to taxation; sales and use; maintaining certain defined terms for other purposes; modifying the exemption for data centers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.02, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 216B.02, subdivision 12; 297A.68, subdivision 42.

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

New MN Bill introduced: relating to preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers HF4153

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

From the MN House:

Mekeland, Swedzinski and Davis introduced:

HF. No. 4153, A bill for an act relating to data centers; modifying the criteria for preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers; exempting certain data centers’ electricity sales in calculating a utility’s solar energy standard; exempting certain data centers from paying a fee; exempting certain data centers from paying sales tax on electricity purchases; amending Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 103G.265, subdivision 5; 216B.02, subdivision 12; 216B.1623; 216B.1691, subdivision 2f; 216B.72; 297A.68, subdivision 42.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Energy Finance and Policy.

Video: What Rural Communities Need to Know about Data Centers

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From The Rural Assembly…

“What Rural Communities Need to Know About Data Centers” is now available for replay on Rural Assembly’s Youtube channel.

Tune in to the replay to learn more about⁠ many facets of the data center issue, including:

• what data centers are and why companies are interested in building them in rural communities; ⁠

• the political landscape;⁠

• what’s disputed; ⁠

• and what communities can do. ⁠ ⁠

Thank you to Annie Contractor, who led the session, and to our partners at Radically Rural, and to the more than 250 of you who showed up to the webinar last week to learn together, ask questions, and share your own experiences. ⁠

 

New MN Bill introduced: Prohibiting municipalities from entering into​ nondisclosure agreements HF4077

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

From the MN House:

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Co-Chair: Rep. Mike Freiberg holds the gavel

Co-Chair: Rep. Duane Quam

Location: Capitol G23

Agenda:

HF4077 (Greenman) – Prohibiting municipalities from entering into​ nondisclosure agreements.

More info…

HF4077(Greenman)
Municipalities prohibited from entering into nondisclosure agreements.

Fidium and Flexential partner up for data centers in MN and TX

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Light Reading reports…

Fidium will extend its reach within Flexential’s data centers in Dallas and Plano, Texas, and Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota. The agreement builds on Fidium’s expanding national data center footprint.

Fidium, a leading provider of high-capacity fiber network solutions, today announced an expanded relationship with Flexential, a premier provider of data center colocation and hybrid IT solutions. Through the Flexential Marketplace, part of the recently launched FlexAnywhere® platform, Fidium will extend its reach and visibility within Flexential’s data centers in Dallas and Plano, Texas and Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota, enabling enterprises, carriers, and hyperscalers to scale connectivity faster than ever before.

New MN Bill introduced: Certain users of large amounts of groundwater required to apply for their own water-use permit (HF3793)

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

The MN House reports…

HF3793 (Pursell) Certain users of large amounts of groundwater required to apply for their own water-use permit instead of modifying an existing municipal permit.

The  House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee will hear more March 10 (2026) at 1pm. Online viewing available: Channel: HTV1.

New MN Bill introduced: Data centers excluded from gross annual retail energy sales for energy conservation and optimization purposes (HF3296)

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I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:

The MN House reports…

That’s why he came to St. Paul to testify in favor of HF3296, a bill sponsored by Rep. Dawn Gillman (R-Dassel) that would allow utility sales of electricity to certain data centers to be excluded from the state’s definition of “gross annual retail energy sales,” and, thus, not required to meet the ECO plan’s annual energy savings goal of 1.5% for a cooperative or municipal utility.

On Thursday, the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee approved a delete-all amendment and laid the bill over for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

Data center opponents ask MN Legislature to consider statewide moratorium, new regulations

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MPR reports…

Opponents of so-called hyperscale data centers are calling on Minnesota lawmakers to adopt stronger regulations this session, including a two-year pause in new construction.

They say requirements for data centers that the Legislature passed last year aren’t enough to protect communities, residents and the environment from the potential negative impacts of the mega-sized facilities.

“We have no regulatory framework in place to protect our communities and the environment from the detrimental impacts of these facilities,” Eleanor Dolan of Duluth said at a rally Wednesday at the state Capitol.

Data centers are large warehouses that store computer servers and power artificial intelligence. The largest ones cover over a million square feet — the equivalent of dozens of football fields.

Data center developers promise they’ll bring jobs, economic growth and tax revenue. But opponents have voiced concerns about the vast amount of energy and water they consume, plus potential air, noise and light pollution.

Only one hyperscale data center — a Meta facility in Rosemount — is currently under construction in Minnesota. But there are at least a dozen proposed in the state.

Several are in the south Twin Cities metro. But others are in small cities, such as Hermantown, Pine Island and Cannon Falls.