We, the residents of Pine Island and surrounding areas, urge the Pine Island City Council and Mayor David Friese to immediately halt all approvals and pre-construction activity related to the proposed hyperscale data center project north of Rochester, Minnesota.

This project is moving forward without meaningful community engagement, despite overwhelming concern about its potential environmental, health, and quality-of-life impacts. We’ve watched as city leaders revised zoning plans and fast-tracked decisions for developers—while ignoring the voices of the very people who will live next to this massive facility.

We are deeply alarmed by the lack of a comprehensive environmental review. The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) has already filed a lawsuit against the City of Pine Island, arguing that the city’s review was inadequate and that construction should be paused until a full assessment of energy and water use is completed. The potential for enormous water and electricity consumption, constant noise pollution, and lasting ecological disruption demands far more scrutiny than it has received.

We are also alarmed by reports of pre-construction activities already taking place at the site—even before final legal decisions or community input have been fairly considered. This erodes public trust and sends a clear message that resident concerns are being sidelined in favor of outside developers.

We recognize the importance of economic development. But responsible development must include transparency, environmental protections, and community consent—not just tax incentives and vague job promises. Other cities in Minnesota, like Hermantown, have paused similar projects to allow for greater public input. Pine Island must do the same.

We call on the Pine Island City Council and Mayor Friese to:

• Pause all permits and construction activity
• Commit to a full environmental review
• Hold public forums that prioritize resident voices—not just developer timelines

This is our home. We deserve a seat at the table.

Photo: Matt Alvarez | MPR News