1 data center project in Faribault City
Who decides here: the City Council of Faribault City votes on zoning. The Rice County may review big projects too.
In Faribault City
Local votes and rules
📌 Other
After the court ruling, Faribault's council gave the Archer data center until March 31, 2027 to finish a fuller environmental review. The project is a 500,000 square foot data center on about 87 acres.
⚖️ Court case
The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that Faribault's environmental review of a big data center did not follow state law. The city must redo a fuller review of water, energy, noise and effects on neighbors. The case was brought by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.
🗺️ Zoning change
Faribault's council approved a zoning change with clearer rules on where data centers can go in the city. In April it had put off a version that would have allowed them in heavy industrial zones.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Faribault City. - Go to council meetings.
Anyone can speak. Big projects usually need a public hearing. - Ask questions in writing.
Use our checklist.
🔔 Get told first
⚡ Your electric company
Depending on where you live in Faribault City: Northern States Power Co. - Minnesota (company) or Steele-waseca Cooperative Electric (co-op (owned by its members)).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in Minnesota.
🙋 Open tasks here
- How much water will the Archer data center use, and how will it be cooled?
- Which company will use the data center?
- Will the city require a full environmental impact statement?