Google Faces Backlash Over Proposed Data Centers in Minnesota

Google is trying to win over residents in two Minnesota towns where it wants to build data centers. The tech giant has been hosting events in Hermantown and Pine Island, but its charm offensive may be too little, too late.

In August, Google held a celebration in Pine Island, which was attended by Megan Post, 22, who came dressed in protest of the proposed data center. Her homemade t-shirt read 'Not for sale.'

The opposition to Google's data centers has been sustained, with residents expressing concerns about the impact on their communities.

It's not just Hermantown and Pine Island that are rejecting Google's plans. The city of Elk River has also rejected changing its rules to allow data centers, and a lawsuit has been filed against the city of Eagan over its one-year moratorium on new data centers.