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KSTP/SurveyUSA poll: Data centers concern Minnesotans — for several reasons
Summary by The Minneapolis Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Josh Skluzacek , KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 23, 2026
· 7 min read
Data centers continue to concern Minnesotans to the point that most oppose new construction of them in the state. Results of a new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll indicate that Minnesotans’ hesitancy toward data centers stems from concerns about the centers’ impact on resources, costs and even just an overal...
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Summary created by The Minneapolis Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Josh Skluzacek, KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Of the 1,675 respondents, only 27% support the construction of a new data center in their area; 60% oppose, including 38% “strongly” opposing.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The strong opposition to data center construction in Minnesota, as revealed by the KSTP/SurveyUSA poll, has significant implications for the state's economic development and environmental policies. With many cities already enacting moratoriums on new data centers, it's clear that Minnesotans are prioritizing resource conservation and cost management over potential revenue and job creation. The demographic breakdown of the poll results also suggests that urban, suburban, and rural areas have distinct concerns, which could inform targeted approaches to addressing these issues. As Minneapolis and other cities navigate the pause on data center construction, they must consider the long-term consequences of their decisions on the state's infrastructure, energy consumption, and economic growth. The fact that a majority of voters oppose subsidies for data centers further complicates the picture, indicating that any efforts to attract these businesses will need to be carefully balanced against community concerns and environmental impact.
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: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 7 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Data centers continue to concern Minnesotans to the point that most oppose new construction of them in the state. Results of a new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll indicate that Minnesotans’ hesitancy toward data centers stems from concerns about the centers’ impact on resources, costs and even just an overal...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Josh Skluzacek 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 local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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