At a St. Louis County public listening session, union leaders and the regional economic-development group Apex urged approval of a proposed Hermantown data center, citing jobs and investment. Nearby residents and other commenters criticized the county's use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), expressed worry about long construction timelines and a

An economic‑development presentation about project confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements prompted extended public comment and divided the St. Louis County Board over the use of NDAs by elected officials and staff, especially in the Hermantown data‑center matter. The board accepted the director’s report after debate and procedural clarifying.