West of Mpls MN about 50 miles on Hwy 12 | You're not the only one. I live about 30 miles from Monticello, and at one time in my life did a lot of custom harvesting/hauling of seed and sweet corn grown on several thousand irrigated acres of blow sand that are now covered in solar panels to support the energy needs of new data centers and the current suburban expansion. Excel Energy needs to expand the Monticello nuclear facility and convert the soon to be shuttered wore out coal fired power plant in nearby Becker to run on North Dakota NG as well IMO.
AI Overview
Minnesota is experiencing a boom in data center projects, led by Meta's first hyperscale facility in Rosemount, with numerous others proposed in suburbs like Monticello, Hermantown, Lakeville, and Cannon Falls, driven by AI demand, promising jobs and tax revenue but raising concerns about water use and local impact. Key players include Mortenson and developers like Monticello Tech, LLC, with projects ranging from large campuses to smaller facilities, though some, like Google's Becker proposal, are currently paused.
Major Projects & Locations:
Rosemount: Meta is building the state's first large-scale hyperscale data center here.
Monticello: Two significant projects are planned by Monticello Tech (Frattalone Companies) for a massive tech park.
Hermantown (near Duluth): A large complex by Mortenson is moving forward after initial hurdles, adding to the region's tech presence.
Nobles County (SW MN): A major project is planned with dedicated wind farms for power, bringing economic benefits to a rural area.
Other Proposed Sites: Apple Valley, Cannon Falls, Farmington, Lakeville, Pine Island, and Eagan are all seeing data center development interest.
Key Trends & Issues:
AI-Driven Growth: The demand for AI processing power is a primary driver for these massive facilities.
Economic Impact: Developers promise jobs, local tax revenue, and support for community initiatives.
Environmental Concerns: There are significant community discussions and reports highlighting potential impacts on water resources and land use.
Developer Activity: Companies like Mortenson are central to construction, while hyperscalers (Meta) are building major facilities.
Current Status:
Meta's Rosemount site is the only known large-scale hyperscale center under construction.
Google's large project in Becker remains indefinitely paused as of late 2022.
Many projects are in early planning, requiring annexation, zoning, and environmental review, with some facing local opposition.
Edited by CMN 12/5/2025 11:08
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The data center thing kind of hit home today.
