HARWOOD, N.D. – The mayor of Harwood is sounding frustrated with repeated questions and concerns about construction of a new artificial intelligence data center.
Applied Digital is in the process of building the $3 billion facility about a mile outside of the city.
On WDAY Radio’s The Jay Thomas Show, Mayor Blake Hankey said “the same arguments have been completely rebutted over and over again” when it comes to water usage, possible noise pollution and fears that electricity rates will rise in order to power the center.
Hankey also claimed the “vast majority” of people opposing the data center are from Fargo, followed by “a lot of college students” from Moorhead.
“Not that some Harwood residents haven’t expressed some concern and not that some residents haven’t come out and said no, we’re not in favor of this but that [opposition] is by far the vast minority,” said Hankey.
Listen: Harwood Mayor Blake Hankey on The Jay Thomas Show
Since the facility will sit a mile southeast of the city, Hankey argued it would take a “southeast wind in order to have any sound carry” into Harwood.
And Hankey says Applied Digital says they’ve offered to build sound walls if the noise becomes a problem.
“Whatever noise the facility makes, I personally have no concerns,” he said.
The Cass County Commission approved an agreement that allows Applied Digital to build and pay for intersections and turn lanes needed north and west of the facility to access the data center campus.
Hankey also confirmed groundbreaking at the site has already taken place with construction expected through the winter season.
