North Dakota Town Bucks Trend by Voting in Favor of Data Centers
Summary
Harwood, North Dakota, voters rejected a proposal to add review requirements for future large developments, including data centers. The vote came as voters in 40 of 41 local contests tracked by Ballotpedia backed measures limiting or opposing data center development.Key Facts
- On November 3, Harwood voters rejected the amendment by 325 votes to 105.
- The proposal would have required independent technical review, more public information, at least one public hearing, and written findings before city approval.
- Harwood rezoned 320 acres from agricultural to light industrial use in September 2025, allowing Texas-based Applied Digital to plan a large data center facility.
- The proposed review rules would have applied to future projects and would not have affected the existing Applied Digital development.
- Harwood Mayor Blake Hankey opposed the amendment and said its requirements could financially burden a city of Harwood's size.
- Amendment advocate Mike Swartz said residents had been caught off guard by the pace of the existing data center project.
- Ballotpedia reported that data center-related measures appeared in local contests across 10 states and that voters supported limits or opposition in 40 of 41 contests it tracked.
- Ballotpedia said voters approved five full bans, 12 partial bans, three six-month moratoriums, and two measures expressing opposition to data center development.
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