Hermantown, Minn., Council Postpones Google Data Center Vote After Protest; Meeting Rescheduled for Oct. 30

The Hermantown, Minn., City Council was set to approve a Google data center on Monday night, FOX 9 reported, “until protesters disrupted the meeting to the point where city officials opted to delay it.” Protesters gathered outside council chambers “continuously chanting.” The meeting was to start at 6:30 p.m.; about two hours later it was adjourned, and the police chief gave protesters “a 10-minute warning to leave” or be detained or arrested for “unsafe and unlawful gathering.” The city then canceled the Tuesday continuation “amid concerns the meeting would impact early voting,” which was taking place in council chambers. City leaders rescheduled the meeting for Friday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m., with “the same six resolution items,” a virtual option, and in-person attendance limited to “the first 85 visitors.”

In October 2025 the council voted 4-0 to rezone more than 200 acres for the data center, and local leaders have been criticized for signing non-disclosure agreements about it, FOX 9 reports. Neighboring Carlton County adopted a moratorium while Google pressed Hermantown: 2026-08-24–carlton-county-mn-unanimous-one-year-data-center-moratorium-google-hermantown.