Submission of a planned data center near Harwood, North Dakota. (‘Applied Digital’ Consent)
The Applied Digital, the company’s data centers near Ellendale and Jamestown, announced Monday plans to build a $ 3 billion data center in Harwood, north of Fargo.
Applied digital plans are interrupted in September due to what he calls the Polaris Forge 2 -280 megawatts artificial intelligence center.
The plan requires two devices that contain local development. The Applied Digital consisted of more than 900 acres of acres for its town and secured energy through the Cass County Electric Cooperative-Non-profit organization. The data center is expected to have more than 200 full -time employees and long -term contractors.
Nick Phillips, an executive vice president of the Applied Digital, who works from the Ellendale town, said the data center would not use all 900 ares, with initial production. He said the buildings would be just over 900,000 square feet, slightly smaller than the Amazon distribution center between Fargo and Harwood.
The site will only be south and east of Harwood, a city of about 800 people.
The first part of the object will be open in the second 2026. In the second half, and in the second phase 2027.
In a press release, the Applied Digital said it is expanding in the North Dakota because the state has a rich energy, the land and business climate.
“The demand for PG continues to accelerate, and the North Dakota continues to be one of the most strategic places in the country to meet that need,” Wes Cummins said in a press release, CEO of Applied Digital.
“The investment of Applied Digital reflects our people and our potentials, and we are proud to be part of the moment,” Harwood Mayor Blake Hankey said in a press release.
In an interview with Phillips, he was hearing concern about utilities accounts arising from the data center, but that was not the case in Ellendale. He said Montana Dakota’s utility customers received discounts on the Ellendale center.
He said the center would also not affect the customers of the Cass County Electric customers.
Cass County Electric Cooperative is a member of the Grand Forks based Minnkota Power cooperative.
“Our focus is that it is integrated to strengthen our communities, maintain reliable and responsible power, and relies on a strong foundation that we have established over 85 years of service in the region,” said Mac Maclennan, Minnkota Power Cooperative and CEO.
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Phillips said some data centers can use a lot of water, closing the cycle water cooling system, using Digital use of Ellendale and planning the use of Harwood very little.
He said people also care about noise, but half a mile from the center noise level should be similar to screaming leaves or light rain.
280 megawatts, the Harwood data center will have about half of what Ellendale allowed, but the company says it can expand in the future.
Applied digital invested in housing and other improvements in Ellendale, about 1,100 in the city, near the South Dakota State Line, where it operates Polaris Forge 1.
“North Dakota wins when companies like Applied Digital opt for more than the employer.” Gov Kelly Armstrong said in a press release. “Ellendale has invested in people through labor housing and established a strong local partnership that strengthens the community.”
Applied Digital Data Centers Home Banks, which belong to technology companies providing artificial intelligence and other services.
Technology companies rent a place from Applied Digital, which builds climate controlled devices to make computers cool, clean and efficiently exposed.
Phillips spoke last week at the Fargo Artificial Intelligence Summit organized by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo palace.
He said data centers are useful for communities, providing good jobs for people working in qualified deals such as electricians and adding a tax base.
A three -story concrete building was set, built in 2024. November 12, North Dakota, on the Applied Digital Site. (Photo of Jeff’s Beach/North Dakota Monitor)
The applied digital, which is located in the university campus right next to Ellendale, asked to be annexed to the city Increase Ellendale tax revenue. Phillips said Monday that it was not yet decided if the data center was included in Harwood City, but that the debate was going on.
At the AI summit, Julie Fedorchak, a US spokeswoman, said that the North Dakota options and the home in data centers are important for national security.
“When I see the incredible ability of the North Dokota to use this source, the incredible energy resources that we need to help provide the power to develop this incredible industry here in America, not India and China,” she said.
This article has been updated with additional information.
You can access Jeff Beach, Deputy Editor of North Dakota Monitor, by email. Email [email protected].
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