Data center developer signs Mandan land purchase deals; county says it has no jurisdiction
A data center developer, Sagebrush Infrastructure Partners LLC (acquired by Stark Power), has signed purchase option agreements for land near Mandan, North Dakota. The potential development faces early community opposition due to concerns about environmental impact, power grid, and water resources. Mandan is in the process of drafting a new data center zoning ordinance, while Morton County has clarified its ordinance would not apply to this site.
Sagebrush Infrastructure Partners LLC, now owned by Israeli company Stark Power, has entered into purchase option agreements for land bordering Mandan, North Dakota. The agreements grant Sagebrush the exclusive right to purchase properties from three Morton County landowners for one year, with options to extend for up to three additional years, expiring in February and March of 2027.
Sagebrush, which specializes in hyperscale data centers paired with natural gas-fired power plants, stated it is in early stages of evaluating the Mandan site and no final decision has been made. The company pledged a transparent community engagement process, including public forums and consultation with local officials. This news comes as the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence fuels a data center construction boom, promising jobs and tax revenue but also raising concerns.
Community members expressed significant concerns at a neighborhood meeting in Bismarck, citing potential impacts on wildlife, the power grid, and water resources. Seth Owens, a wildlife photographer, highlighted environmental worries, particularly for local prairies and birdlife.
In response to these developments, the Mandan Planning and Zoning Commission has rescheduled a public hearing on its draft data center ordinance to August 24. This draft ordinance includes requirements for a half-mile setback from residential areas, landscaping buffers, noise studies, and public notification. Morton County clarified that its own draft data center ordinance would not apply to the Sagebrush site, as the land falls within Mandan's extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction.