August 18, 2026 Business, Housing & Zoning Committee

The August 18, 2026 meeting of the Minneapolis Business, Housing & Zoning Committee included several procurement-related discussions and policy considerations. The committee approved liquor and gambling license renewals and a new liquor license for the Rain establishment, with attention to security plans and community concerns. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a detailed presentation and discussion on data centers, focusing on their definitions, resource demands (electricity and water), environmental impacts, economic and fiscal considerations, and regulatory frameworks. The committee reviewed comparisons with other cities' data center policies and discussed the challenges of regulating data centers amid evolving technologies such as AI and cryptocurrency. Concerns were raised about potential impacts on environmental justice zones, water conservation, and alignment with Minneapolis's climate goals. The committee emphasized the importance of public engagement, education, and state and regional advocacy in shaping future data center regulations. No final votes on data center regulations were taken during this meeting, but the discussion highlighted key policy considerations affecting future procurement and land use decisions related to data centers in Minneapolis.