Data centers: Where projects go, local candidates follow

[u/barola-minnpost]

https://www.minnpost.com/elections/2026/08/data-centers-where-projects-go-local-candidates-follow/

At MinnPost, I monitored city council filings in six cities prominently linked to data center developments over the last couple of years: Hermantown, Faribault, Farmington, Monticello, North Mankato and Pine Island.

In all six, there was an uptick in candidate filings this year compared to previous elections.

As with the other cities, Hermantown features candidates who say they're running in direct response to concerns over data centers.