Fargo Annexation and the Applied Digital Data Center in Harwood, ND: City Officials Ignore the public concerns 

Hey there, North Dakota residents and curious readers! If you’ve been hearing buzz about Fargo annexation plans and the massive Applied Digital data center coming to Harwood, North Dakota, you’re not alone. This $3 billion project is stirring up conversations across Cass County, from economic opportunities to environmental concerns. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Fargo land annexation, the Polaris Forge 2 data center, its impacts on landowners and residents, potential health risks near data centers, and what it takes to run one of these tech behemoths.

Whether you’re a local worried about your property or just interested in how big tech is shaping rural America, stick around, we’ve got the details. 

A Quick Look at Fargo and Harwood, North Dakota

Fargo isn’t just the backdrop for that quirky Coen Brothers movie—it’s North Dakota’s biggest city, boasting a population of about 125,000. Nestled along the Red River border with Minnesota, Fargo thrives on education (thanks to North Dakota State University), healthcare, manufacturing, and tech. It’s a growing hub in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area, known for its harsh winters but vibrant community life. 

Just a stone’s throw north, Harwood, ND, is a small, peaceful town with under 1,000 folks. Surrounded by farmland and connected by highways like I-29, it’s the epitome of rural charm—a suburb where people escape the hustle of Fargo for quieter days. But change is on the horizon with big developments like this data center in Harwood. 

Who Is Applied Digital and What’s Their Big Plan? 

Applied Digital Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, is all about building digital infrastructure for high-tech needs like AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing. They’re no strangers to North Dakota, with existing facilities in places like Ellendale. 

Their latest venture? The Polaris Forge 2 campus, a whopping 280-megawatt AI “factory” on 900 acres southeast of Harwood. Announced in August 2025, groundbreaking is slated for September. Partnering with local power players like Minnkota Power and Cass County Electric, this project promises jobs and economic growth but has locals fuming over secrecy and potential downsides.

Confidentiality agreements signed by Harwood and Fargo mayors haven’t helped build trust. 

How Does Fargo Annexation Work and Does It Force Land Sales? 

Land annexation in Fargo is basically the city expanding its borders to include nearby unincorporated areas in Cass County, like spots near Harwood. This shift puts the land under city rules, taxes, and services. In North Dakota, it involves city resolutions, hearings, and approvals—often without every landowner’s okay if the area is contiguous and developing. 

The big question:

Does annexation affect landowners who don’t want to sell?

Not directly, it doesn’t force a sale. But it can hike taxes, change zoning to favor industry, and make holding onto farmland tougher. Applied Digital would buy land voluntarily or, in rare cases, use eminent domain (with fair pay). Locals fear this paves the way for the project, potentially dropping property values or ruining the rural vibe. 

What Could the Data Center Mean for Harwood Residents? 

For folks in Harwood and Fargo, this Applied Digital data center is a double-edged sword. On the upside, expect job creation in construction and ops, plus tax revenue boosting local services. The company’s founder talks about “benefits for North Dakota,” like community investments and better infrastructure from annexation. 

But downsides loom:

Skyrocketing energy use could jack up utility bills or strain the grid. Water demands for cooling might hit supplies hard in drought-prone areas. Add in more traffic, a shift from rural peace, and community rifts from the secretive rollout, it’s no wonder meetings have been heated. 

Key Risks of Living Near a Huge Data Center 

Proximity to a large data center like Polaris Forge 2 isn’t all tech glamour. Drawing from experiences in places like Virginia, here are common risks living near data centers: 

– Noise Pollution: That endless fan hum can lead to stress and sleep issues. 

– Resource Drain: Massive water and power use could cause shortages or higher costs. 

– Environmental Hits: Emissions, light pollution, and habitat loss are real worries. 

– Other Issues: Traffic spikes, e-waste, and mixed effects on home values. That said, they’re often cleaner than other industries. 

Are There Health Risks from Data Centers? 

Yes, health risks near data centers are mostly indirect but worth noting: 

– Air Pollution: Diesel backups spew particles that could worsen asthma or heart problems. A 2025 study links them to thousands of U.S. deaths yearly. 

– Noise Effects: Long-term exposure might cause hypertension or hearing loss. 

– Water Concerns: Leaks could contaminate groundwater. 

– EMF Exposure: Minor, like headaches for some, but evidence is thin. Regulations help, but risks hit harder in vulnerable spots. 

What Does It Take to Maintain and Operate a Data Center? 

Running a huge data center like this is a 24/7 high-stakes operation aiming for near-perfect uptime: 

– Team and Tech: IT pros, engineers, and managers oversee servers, cooling, power backups, and security. 

– Maintenance Strategies: Scheduled checks, AI predictions, and quick fixes keep things humming. 

– Resources: Tons of energy (280MW here!), water, fast internet, and eco-friendly tweaks like renewables. It’s costly but essential for AI-driven worlds. 

Wrapping Up: The Future of Harwood and Fargo

The Fargo annexation and Applied Digital’s data center in Harwood highlight the clash between progress and preservation. While it could supercharge the local economy, the risks of living near a data center, from noise to health concerns, can’t be ignored. If you’re a resident, stay engaged in hearings and voice your thoughts. For more on similar projects, check out resources from the EPA or local news. 

What do you think, boon or bust for North Dakota?

Drop a comment below!

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