The Apple Valley City Council has unanimously denied Oppidan Investment Co.’s proposal to build a large-scale data center campus within the city. The decision, finalized on March 26, 2026, follows over a year of deliberation and community input.
Oppidan, in partnership with property owner Rockport LLC, had planned to construct five data center buildings totaling approximately 1.05 million square feet on a 134-acre site at the southwest corner of County Road 42 and Pilot Knob Road. The site, previously used for sand and gravel mining, was to be transformed into the Apple Valley Technology Park, offering between 250MW and 300MW of capacity.
However, the proposal faced significant opposition from both city officials and residents. Concerns were raised about potential issues related to water usage, pollution, and the impact on existing businesses and future developments in Apple Valley. These apprehensions led the Planning Commission to recommend denial of the project earlier in March, a recommendation that the City Council upheld in their final vote.
In January 2026, the City Council had already rejected a comprehensive plan amendment necessary for the project’s advancement. Despite efforts by Oppidan to address these concerns, including withdrawing a rezoning application earlier this month, the council determined that the project did not align with the city’s development vision.
Oppidan, a Minnesota-based real estate firm with experience in data center development since 2016, expressed disappointment in the decision. The company had hoped to contribute to the city’s growth and technological infrastructure. Currently, Oppidan is involved in data center projects in other locations, including Eagan, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; Reno, Nevada; Temple, Texas; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The rejection of the data center proposal underscores Apple Valley’s commitment to thoughtful and sustainable development, ensuring that new projects align with the community’s needs and long-term plans.