Hermantown postpones Google data center votes after packed protest

On Monday, October 26, the Hermantown City Council postponed votes on final local approvals for a proposed Google data center near Duluth after hundreds packed city hall for a special meeting. Police declared an unlawful assembly, citing an overcapacity building, and ordered everyone out; the council adjourned to Tuesday evening. Opponents cite wetlands, trout streams, noise and a secretive process; supporters, including building trades unions, cite construction jobs. Google says it dropped its pursuit of up to 80 million dollars in tax breaks. The project would use about 500 megawatts of electricity.

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Why it matters

Residents near Duluth are split over a large data center that would use about 500 megawatts of electricity. Opponents raise wetlands, noise and process concerns, while supporters point to construction jobs.

What to watch

The Hermantown City Council meets again Tuesday evening, October 27, to take up the postponed votes.

How each side sees it

Opponents sayResidents and the group Stop the Hermantown Data Center cite effects on wetlands and nearby trout streams, noise, property values and a process they call secretive.

Supporters sayBuilding trades union members and the Hermantown Chamber of Commerce back the project for its construction jobs.

City officials sayThe city says it postponed because it could not guarantee a safe event; police said the building was severely overcapacity.

Sources

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Published Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.