Nobles County Data Center — Geronimo Energy
Nobles County, Nobles County, Minnesota
Critical Risk
Last updated 2026-03-29
Trajectory evidence: SF 4298 statewide moratorium bill introduced. SF 608 (effective June 2025) restricts enterprise data centers to industrial districts. Planning commission voted against text amendment allowing DCs.
Critical Risk
Dimension Breakdown
Four dimensions that determine entitlement feasibility.
Regulatory Risk
Data centers categorically prohibited in the Agricultural Preservation zoning district. Planning commission voted against text amendment to allow DCs as conditional use. SF 4298 proposes statewide moratorium.
Infrastructure Readiness
Rural southwest Minnesota served by cooperative utilities. The 400-1,000 MW demand would require massive new transmission infrastructure that does not exist. Geronimo plans behind-the-meter 960 MW gas generation.
Opposition Density
Change.org petition "Stop the Nobles County Mega Data Center" with 874 signatures. Planning commission voted against after dozens of residents testified. Minnesota Catholic Conference supports SF 4298. MCEA sued five Minnesota cities.
Approval Timeline
Requires text amendment (planning commission recommended against), AUAR environmental review (comment period through April 2026), SF 608 compliance, and conditional use permit. Geronimo targets 2027 groundbreaking, 2030 completion.
Key Findings
What the record shows.
Data centers categorically prohibited in Nobles County Agricultural Preservation zoning district.
Nobles County Planning and Zoning CommissionPlanning commission voted against the text amendment allowing DCs on February 4, 2026.
Worthington Daily GlobeSF 4298 proposes statewide moratorium on new data center permits introduced March 9, 2026.
Minnesota Revisor of Statutes — SF 4298County Attorney stated moratorium is legally moot because existing ordinance already prohibits data centers.
Worthington Daily GlobeKey Officials
The decision-makers on record.
Planning Commissioner Jay Clarke
Planning Commissioner
Documented Record
Stated: "Why are we making exceptions for corporate America when we won't make exceptions for our own residents?"
Documented position based on public record.
Commissioner Robert Demuth
County Commissioner
Documented Record
Opposed the motion to recommend no change — supported allowing data centers. Was in the minority.
Documented position based on public record.
Opposition Profile
Who is organizing.
Change.org petition "Stop the Nobles County Mega Data Center" — 874 signatures
Residents testified against at February 4, 2026 public hearing
Minnesota Catholic Conference formally supports SF 4298
MCEA sued five Minnesota cities advancing data center projects
Timeline
How it unfolded.
February 4, 2026
Planning commission voted against text amendment allowing DCs.
March 11, 2026
County board approved AUAR drafts 4-1.
April 16, 2026
AUAR comment period closes.
Known Risks
What can go wrong.
Data centers categorically prohibited in agricultural zones
Rural infrastructure insufficient for 400-1,000 MW demand
Statewide moratorium bill introduced
Planning commission recommended against text amendment
Recommendation
Critical Risk — Score 14/100
Critical Risk. Data centers are prohibited by existing zoning. Planning commission and state legislature both trending restrictive.
Get your site scored before the surprises start.
Zoning posture, approval pathway, community risk, and comparable outcomes. Sourced and scored by close of day, not months.
