Faribault Residents Voice Concerns Over Data Center Amidst Ongoing Litigation
- Meeting Overview:
During the recent Faribault City Council meeting, the focus was on the controversial data center project, which has sparked significant public concern and is currently under litigation. Although the council refrained from commenting due to legal advice, residents Elizabeth Wright and Vicky Olsen used their allotted speaking time to express apprehensions about the project’s potential impact on local resources. Wright questioned the benefits of the data center, highlighting concerns about its strain on farmland, the aquifer, and the local power grid, while suggesting it may not offer long-term employment opportunities. Olsen compared the data center to invasive species, warning of uncontrollable electricity and water usage, and suggested requirements for the center to use sustainable energy sources.
Additionally, the council addressed the special assessments related to the Air Tech Industrial Park’s street extension and stormwater basin improvements, a project completed earlier this year. The assessments, affecting four businesses and expected to be paid over 15 years at a 4.98% interest rate, were discussed, with no objections reported prior to the hearing.
Another agenda item involved the city’s plan to reseal two old wells, a project prompted by the Minnesota Department of Health’s concerns over past sealing practices. The council approved construction documents and established a bid date for the project, funded partly by a $250,000 grant.
Thomas J. Spooner
City Council Officials:
, John Rowan, City Council Member, Peter van Sluis, City Council Member, Royal Ross, City Council Member, Mandy Barnes, City Council Member, Adama Youhn Doumbouya, City Council Member, Chuck Thiele, City Council Member
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
10/28/2025
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Recording Published:
10/28/2025
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Duration:
22 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Minnesota
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County:
Rice County
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Towns:
Faribault
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