Google Data Center Deal Includes Commitment to Local Labor

A proposed data center in Hermantown, Minnesota, has taken a step closer to reality after a labor agreement was reached between Google's developer, Mortenson, and the Duluth Building Trades.

The Labor Memorandum of Understanding means that the project is committed to using local labor. At Monday night's City Council meeting, members of Iron Workers Local 512 showed their support for the data center and the jobs it would create for iron workers.

'We want them in this region, you know, the people that are working here, they're spending their money here as well. So this is not just an investment on a site. It goes way beyond that with the people that are spending their money here as well, living here, buying homes here, so it's a good thing,' said Training Coordinator Brent Harju, Iron Workers Local 512.

However, members of Stop the Hermantown Data Center were also in attendance. The group continues to be concerned about the project's potential environmental impacts.