Voters in many parts of the United States took a stance against data centers in recent ballot initiatives. However, Harwood, a small town in North Dakota, bucked this trend. The town’s 940 residents rejected a measure that aimed to give them more control over large construction projects like AI data centers. The vote was decisive, with 325 against and 105 in favor, as reported by the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office.
Out of 45 propositions nationwide focusing on data centers, Harwood was the only place where voters showed support. Elsewhere, similar measures failed as noted by Redbud Consulting, which tracks ballots.
Harwood’s decision is significant because a $3 billion AI data center, matching the size of 17 football fields, is being built there. The project hopes to hire 200 people, roughly 20% of the town’s population.
Mark Coolidge, a 59-year-old resident who voted for the measure, expressed frustration. Mike Swartz, a 47-year-old supporter of the proposition, questioned why residents did not have a say in such developments.
“We are the people that have to live with this type of industry as a neighbor,”Swartz said.
Harwood Mayor Blake Hankey opposed the measure, citing its vague language and potential financial burdens for the town. He emphasized it was not solely about data centers but any large business coming to town. According to him, the proposition was not meant to halt data centers entirely.
If passed, the proposition would not have affected the ongoing data center project set for completion next year. It targeted future large-scale projects, which would require independent assessments and public hearings. Swartz explained the necessity of the measure, pointing out the rapid approval of the current data center.
Mayor Hankey defended his decision, citing a non-disclosure agreement with Applied Digital, the project’s developer. He acted swiftly to ensure Harwood secured the contract over neighboring Fargo, which would not have provided tax benefits to the community.
Across the U.S., large companies like SpaceX, Microsoft, and Google face opposition when launching AI data centers due to concerns over environmental impacts, utility bills, and AI skepticism.
In Harwood, public city council meetings became heated, with anti-data-center protesters removed by law enforcement. Swartz and Coolidge mentioned that confusion over the measure’s impact on small businesses influenced voters’ decision to reject it.
Applied Digital did not provide comments. Coolidge criticized the focus on financial gain over community well-being, saying,
“They could give a rip about us as citizens.”