Rural Minnesota voters have their say on data centers
Opposition to data centers shaped some of Minnesota's local races in this week's midterm elections, especially in rural areas. Across the country, ballot measures seeking more restrictions were largely successful. Municipal candidates who ran on anti-data-center platforms won in communities like Hermantown , just outside Duluth, where controversial action fueled resident outcry. Nationwide, voters passed 43 of 44 ballot questions calling for bans, moratoriums and other controls. Ali Mortell, director of research for the political polling firm Blue Rose Research, has been monitoring voter sentiment about this issue and is not surprised. "We've been saying for months now that data centers are deeply unpopular. Data centers are about as popular as living next to a landfill," Mortell observed. The viewpoint appeared in survey questions from Mortell's firm. A February poll issued by Blue Rose Research found two-thirds of respondents were familiar with data centers. Mortell pointed out that awareness helps candidates hone in on residents' raw feelings about nearby projects, including potential effects on natural resources and energy bills. Data center developers and local leaders supportive of the projects consistently tout the job and revenue potential for beleaguered rural economies but Mortell stressed because it is not abstract issue for
