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Data centers in Minnesota

Dan Kraker

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Molly Castle Work

The Google meetings come as the company faces uncertainty with both projects. In Hermantown, where the project still needs city council approval, opposition has intensified after recordings leaked of senior officials mocking data center opponents. The Pine Island project is also on hold while a judge considers a lawsuit seeking a more thorough environmental review.

Google is trying to smooth over some ruffled feathers in two small Minnesota towns where the tech giant hopes to build a couple of massive data centers.Wednesday evening, Google hosted what it called a community celebration in Pine Island, about 20 minutes northwest of Rochester, with free food, live music and family activities.That same night in Hermantown, outside of Duluth, the company held an open house to answer questions from area residents about the hyperscale data center it wants to build there.MPR News Rochester-based reporter Molly Castle Work and our Duluth-based reporter Dan Kraker gave us a look inside the events.

Google hosts events to woo residents in two MN towns where it wants to build data centers

A woman wearing a white t-shirt with words written on it

Molly Castle Work | MPR News

Dan Kraker | MPR News

A police officer sitting a city council meeting

Inside the Pine Island Cheese Co building

Google launches a charm offensive in 2 Minnesota towns as data center opposition grows

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