As people and communities across the country navigate growth in the digital economy, the question facing many regions is not just what is being built, but how, and with whom. For Google, that answer has included partnerships with Indigenous and Tribal communities, rooted in access, respect, and shared opportunity.

That approach is now shaping how the company is engaging in places like Hermantown, Minnesota, where Google is proposing a data center project anchored by the company's core philosophies of partnering with local communities, paying our own way, and adding new clean energy to the electric grid.

For years, Google has worked alongside Indigenous communities across the United States, focusing on expanding digital access, supporting economic opportunity, and helping preserve cultural identity through technology. These efforts have taken many forms – from direct investment in Native-led organizations to hands-on training programs designed to prepare the next generation of Indigenous leaders for careers in an increasingly digital world.

One of the company's flagship efforts, Grow with Google, has brought digital skills training directly to Indigenous students, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. Through its Indigenous Career Readiness Program, Google has partnered with Native-serving organizations to provide career centers with funding and a semester-long curriculum focused on practical, in-demand skills such as project management, design thinking, and professional branding. The goal is simple: ensure that the digital tools and training required to compete in today's workforce are readily available to everyone.

For participants, the impact is immediate. Digital skills training provides not only technical knowledge, but a pathway to new economic opportunities, particularly in communities where access to such resources has historically been limited. According to federal data, only about 65% of households on rural Tribal lands have access to broadband service, underscoring the persistent digital divide.

To help close that gap, Google.org (the company's philanthropic arm) has provided funding to Indigenous-led initiatives. Since 2020, they have committed more than $35 million to support over two dozen organizations focused on education, digital equity, and economic development in Indigenous communities.

These investments include funding for organizations like the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), to strengthen cybersecurity education at Tribal colleges and universities and expand opportunities for Indigenous women in technology. Additional support has gone to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to advance artificial intelligence education and workforce development, as well as to organizations such as IndigiGenius and Indigitize, which develop culturally relevant computer science curricula for Indigenous youth.

The emphasis on culturally grounded programming is intentional. Indigenous communities are not monolithic, and effective partnership requires understanding the distinct traditions, priorities, and governance structures that define each Tribal Nation. By working with Native-led organizations, Google has focused on supporting solutions that are locally driven and reflective of community needs.

This commitment extends beyond education and workforce development. Google has also taken steps to improve representation and visibility for Indigenous communities across its products. A recently introduced “Indigenous-owned” business attribute on Google Search and Maps allows users to identify and support Native-owned businesses more easily – an effort developed in collaboration with Indigenous leaders and organizations.

For Indigenous entrepreneurs, tools like these can make a meaningful difference. Native-owned businesses contribute more than $35 billion annually to the U.S. economy, yet many continue to face barriers to growth, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. By improving digital visibility and access to customers, these tools help strengthen local economies and support long-term sustainability.

Internally, Google has also worked to ensure Indigenous voices are represented within the company. Its employee resource group, the Google Aboriginal and Indigenous Network (GAIN), supports Indigenous employees and helps guide company-wide initiatives, including advocacy around issues such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Alongside its focus on people and opportunity, Google has emphasized environmental responsibility as a core part of its work, an area that often aligns closely with Indigenous values around land and resource stewardship.

In Hermantown, that commitment is reflected in how the proposed data center has been designed.

The project is undergoing a comprehensive environmental review process in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies. The site plan has been refined to minimize impacts to sensitive areas such as wetlands and trout streams, with stormwater management systems designed to meet or exceed regulatory standards. Where impacts need to occur, mitigation efforts are required within the same watershed to limit downstream effects.

Importantly, the project will not use water-based cooling systems. Instead, water use would be limited to domestic needs, such as kitchens and restrooms, and would be supplied from the local municipal system. This approach significantly reduces demand on local water resources while maintaining operational efficiency.

Energy use has also been a central consideration. The facility would connect to Minnesota Power's existing infrastructure, with Google covering the costs of any necessary upgrades. Under state law, those costs cannot be passed on to existing customers. Estimates suggest the project could provide a net financial benefit of between $600 million and $800 million to other ratepayers, while also supporting the development of new clean energy resources, including wind and battery storage.

In addition to environmental considerations, the project is expected to bring long-term economic benefits to Hermantown and the surrounding region. Construction would take place over an estimated eight- to ten-year period, supporting hundreds of skilled trades jobs. Once operational, the facility is expected to create dozens of full-time roles initially, with the potential for more than 100 positions at full buildout, all with wages above the county average. Beyond direct employment, data centers support a broader network of jobs in construction, maintenance, security, and local services. The project will generate meaningful new tax revenue over time, supporting local schools, infrastructure, and essential public services while strengthening the local tax base.

Google has committed to working closely with Hermantown officials, community partners, and residents to identify opportunities for investment in local priorities, including education, workforce development, and public amenities.

In many ways, that approach mirrors the company's broader work with Indigenous communities grounded in listening, collaboration, and a recognition that meaningful partnership is built over time.

As Hermantown considers its future, the conversation is not just about a single project, but about how growth can be shaped in a way that reflects community values and priorities. Google looks forward to working with local Indigenous leaders to learn more about local priorities and shape how we can build beneficial partnerships for both the tribal community and the broader region.