Get Ready

Farmers in Ellendale, North Dakota, are reportedly struggling with road conditions exacerbated by the presence of a data center operated by Applied Digital. The article highlights photos and calls from affected residents, indicating that the situation is detrimental and unfair to the local community. Residents express deep concerns over losing control of their local infrastructure, their future, and their established way of life. The author draws a parallel between the current data center boom and the previous Bakken oil boom in western North Dakota, which led to an influx of workers, overcrowded facilities, increased costs, and a general decline in the quality of life. While the Bakken boom eventually subsided, the article suggests data centers will not follow the same pattern, making the need for intervention more critical. To address these issues, the author proposes several solutions: prohibiting politicians from using non-disclosure agreements in such developments, ensuring counties, cities, and townships implement proper zoning, investigating politicians for personal gain, and, most importantly, requiring the State of North Dakota to provide comprehensive guidance. The article asserts that the state has a responsibility to its residents, as it ultimately stands to profit the most from these developments.