Cannon Falls set for major data center development

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant developments slated for Cannon Falls, including the construction of a new data center and a nursing home project. The nursing home, located on the highway at the site of the old facility, is expected to be completed by 2026.

The more pressing topic was the announcement of a large data center being established on the north side of town by a company named Tract. This firm specializes in providing infrastructure for major corporations such as Google, Meta, and Amazon. The data center will serve as a hub for these companies, facilitating their operations by housing essential computing resources.

City officials are considering annexing property from Randolph Township to accommodate this development, which is projected to cover 256 acres. The data center is anticipated to mirror the scale of a similar facility currently under construction in Rosemont. The meeting highlighted the potential economic benefits for Cannon Falls, particularly the opportunity to attract employees who will likely relocate to the area, thereby boosting local demographics and the economy.

While the annexation may not directly impact school funding, it could lead to a reduction in tax burdens for Randolph residents. Officials expressed optimism about the long-term benefits of the data center, emphasizing the importance of drawing new families to Cannon Falls.