Google announced as company building Hermantown data center

FILE – The Google logo is displayed at their offices, Nov. 1, 2018, in London. . (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Google has announced it will be the company building the Hermantown Data Center.

In a news release Tuesday, Google announced the partnership between the City of Hermantown, St. Louis County, Minnesota Power, APEX, and Mortenson.

The proposed data center site sits between Solway Road and Sandberg Road and could include up to four buildings — each roughly 300,000 square feet.

The Data center has sparked controversy in Hermantown and around the Twin Ports.

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SEE PREVIOUS: Lawsuit filed challenging environmental review of Hermantown data center project

In November, a lawsuit was filed by two groups challenging the environmental review of the Hermantown data center project.

The groups who filled the lawsuit said that the environmental review lacked analysis and should have shed light on what was being proposed and how to mitigate the impacts, but they say the Hermantown study failed to even say this was a data center.

FULL RELEASE:

“We are excited to announce plans for a new data center in Hermantown, marking the beginning of a partnership rooted in sustainable innovation and long-term investment. We look forward to collaborating closely with the City of Hermantown, St. Louis County, Minnesota Power, APEX, Mortenson, and additional local partners as we further refine this vision. 

We are eager to put down roots here. Hermantown is a natural fit for this project, offering a climate that supports energy-efficient air cooling, a resilient power grid, and a dedicated and motivated workforce. Our goal is to be a long-term partner that strengthens the local economy and contributes to the community’s lasting success.

In collaboration with Minnesota Power, we’re pursuing an energy approach that supports the local grid and the state’s carbon-free energy goals, at no additional cost to consumers. Specifics include: 

• supporting the development of new wind generation and battery energy storage

• exploring options to implement demand response capabilities to support the grid during peak times

• contributing $5 million to support energy affordability and efficiency programs for low to moderate-income residential customers of Minnesota Power

Our commitment to being a responsible neighbor also means protecting natural resources. We are utilizing advanced air-cooling technology, which eliminates water use except for domestic needs like kitchens and bathrooms. 

We look forward to sharing more details about this project and long-term community initiatives in Hermantown in the coming months.”