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Hermantown residents flood council meeting, sharply challenge proposed hyperscale data center and transparency
Summary
More than 40 people addressed the Hermantown City Council during an extended public‑comment period to oppose a proposed hyperscale data center (Project Loon), citing secrecy, water and noise concerns; a smaller group including local business leaders urged the council to negotiate terms to secure jobs and infrastructure investments.
Hundreds of residents and dozens of speakers packed Hermantown City Hall on the night the council opened general public discussion, with the meeting dominated by emotional testimony about a proposed hyperscale data center in the city’s southwest corridor. Jonathan Thornton told the council he had watched a five‑hour meeting online and said residents’ comments had produced “almost no dialogue,” adding that the process had eroded trust in city leaders.
The dispute centers on a proposed campus residents and some documents call “Project Loon.” Opponents raised multiple concerns: secrecy and nondisclosure agreements used in early negotiations; disputed water‑use figures; potential noise and generator emissions; traffic and long construction timelines; and fears about loss of rural character and falling property values.
“Why are you voting yes? Why are you rezoning when 95% of us do not want this project?” Jeffrey Donahue asked the council, accusing officials of hiding details and repeating a…
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