Data Center impacts discussed at Harwood public forum
Vern Thompson, a candidate for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, shared his platform on data centers at a public forum in Harwood, N.D. His platform proposes a one-year statewide moratorium on new data center permits and a ban on public officials signing NDAs regarding data centers. Applied Digital, currently building an AI data center near Harwood, was invited to the forum.
Vern Thompson, a candidate for North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, hosted a public forum at the Harwood Community Center to discuss his platform on data centers. Thompson's proposals include a one-year statewide moratorium on new data center permits and a ban on public officials signing non-disclosure agreements related to data center developments.
The event took place a few miles from where Applied Digital is constructing a significant AI data center, having secured a deal worth over $2 billion in March. Thompson invited both regional legislators and representatives from Applied Digital to the forum, emphasizing the need for transparency in such dealings, stating that secrecy is "not North Dakota."
The motion to ban NDAs is scheduled for a vote during a special legislative session set to begin on September 2nd.