Mandan data centers: Panel tackles misconceptions as residents push back
A community forum in Mandan addressed residents' concerns and misconceptions about data centers, including eminent domain and grid reliability. Stark Power has proposed a data center north of the city, and Mandan voters will decide in a special election whether to oppose large-scale data centers.
The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC hosted an educational forum in Mandan about data centers after Stark Power proposed a facility roughly five miles north of downtown. Panelists discussed eminent-domain limits, community impacts and grid reliability, while industry representatives said developers should act as good neighbors and stakeholders.
Some residents attended in opposition, and others criticized the forum as unhelpful. Mandan voters are scheduled to vote Dec. 15 in a special election on whether to block large-scale data centers, making the proposal a focus of active local debate.