government
Elk River City Council blocks data center plan
By Joseph Swanson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 7, 2026
· 1 min read
Elk River city leaders have rejected plans for a 60,000-square-foot data center.
Residents pushed back on the proposal as they raised concerns about energy use, noise levels and environmental impact.
PREVIOUS: Are data centers making your power bill worse during heat waves?
The project w...
Key takeaway The project would have brought 40 jobs to the area.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The rejection of the data center plan in Elk River has implications for the broader Twin Cities area, where similar projects have been proposed in recent years. As the region continues to grow and attract new businesses, cities will need to balance the economic benefits of development with concerns about energy consumption and environmental sustainability. The fact that residents in Elk River raised concerns about energy use, noise levels, and environmental impact suggests that these issues will be increasingly important considerations for local governments. In Minneapolis , where energy efficiency and climate change mitigation are already key priorities, the city council may be watching the developments in Elk River closely, particularly if a one-year ban on data center projects is implemented. This could inform their own approaches to managing growth and development while minimizing the environmental footprint of new projects.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Elk River city leaders have rejected plans for a 60,000-square-foot data center.
Residents pushed back on the proposal as they raised concerns about energy use, noise levels and environmental impact.
PREVIOUS: Are data centers making your power bill worse during heat waves?
The project w...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joseph Swanson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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