Google Data Centers Face Midwest Resident Opposition

A Hermantown, Minnesota, City Council meeting on a revised development agreement for Google’s proposed 1.66-million-square-foot data center was postponed after hundreds of opponents protested for nearly two hours, preventing officials from safely conducting the meeting. Police said the building was over capacity and ordered demonstrators to leave, though no arrests were made; an opponent said the sit-in was peaceful and followed limits on public-comment sign-ups. The council rescheduled the meeting for the following day. In Fort Wayne, Indiana, residents also gathered to discuss concerns about Google’s data center, citing possible effects on air quality, water, energy costs, traffic and nearby neighborhoods. Homeowner Barry Dibble, whose property borders the project, described construction traffic, noise and disruption, while organizers said they hope to build a broader coalition and press officials for greater oversight.