Harwood Archives - KVRR Local News

State Officials Push Back on A.I. Data Center ‘Misinformation’

Members of state departments, like the Department of Water Resources, say concerns about the environmental impacts of data centers are overblown.

8 hours ago

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – AI data centers have become a hot-button issue in North Dakota over the past few years, with citizens in many of the cities in which they’ve been placed – like Harwood – expressing their extreme displeasure with the construction. Sometimes they’re upset they feel they haven’t been considered in the matter, and still others believe the…

Bear sighting in Harwood

12 hours ago

Alison Voorhees,

(Not the actual bear)HARWOOD, N.D. (KVRR) — A black bear has been spotted roaming in Harwood. The city has teamed up with Cass County Sheriff’s Office to share information. The bear was seen Monday near Park Drive. At this time, no additional sightings have been reported. The sheriff’s offce will work closely with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department…

Power project for AI data center gets North Dakota agency approval

April 29, 2026

KVRR Staff,

Cranes work to position concrete panels at the site of the future Applied Digital data center near Harwood, North Dakota, on March 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)HARWOOD, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota Public Service Commission has approved a power project to serve a data center that is under construction north of Fargo. The $110…

Data center developer looks west, backs power upgrades near Fargo

March 23, 2026

KVRR Staff,

Cranes work to position concrete panels at the site of the future Applied Digital data center near Harwood, North Dakota, on March 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)FARGO (North Dakota Monitor) – Data center developer Applied Digital is investing $75 million in power system upgrades in eastern North Dakota as it looks to expand into the western part…

Anti-ICE Protest at Proposed Data Center on Reports of Vice President’s Arrival

January 12, 2026

Emily Welker,

HARWOOD, N.D. — A dozen or so anti-ICE protestors demonstrated at the site of a planned $3 billion AI data center after multiple reports of ICE enforcement sightings Monday in the metro. That’s after the metro-based activist group said online they were responding to rumors Vice President J.D. Vance had arrived in Fargo and would be touring the data center…

Fargo agrees to end annexation process of Applied Digital land, Harwood still needs to vote on agreement

November 24, 2025

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The land where Applied Digital is building a $3 billion AI data center will not be annexed by Fargo. City commissioners voting 5-0 tonight to accept an agreement with the City of Harwood to stop the process of annexing around 300 acres of land between the two cities. Construction is well underway on the data center…

Fargo will not pursue annexation of potential Applied Digital site

November 21, 2025

Alex Bertsch,

The planned data center near Harwood, North Dakota. (Courtesy of Applied Digital)FARGO (KVRR) – The city of Fargo plans to drop its annexation bid for land currently owned by Applied Digital Corporation after coming to an agreement with the City of Harwood. In a letter from Fargo City Attorney Nancy Morris sent to City Commissioners, she writes that Mayors Tim…

Harwood Looks at Ellendale as Example of Applied Digital AI Data Center

Residents of both cities have expressed objections to the tech company's inroads; but while Ellendale's mayor says the facilities have reversed population loss, Harwood is growing on its own, leaving many to wonder if it will really benefit the community.

September 14, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

ELLENDALE, N.D. (KVRR) – Ellendale Mayor Don Flaherty has lived in the city for almost three decades. He says he saw the harmful effects of population loss firsthand. So, when tech company Applied Digital began buying up land for blockchain facilities and data centers – he welcomed them with open arms. “With this happening, I can honestly see that Ellendale…

Special City Council Meeting in Harwood Turns Contentious

As it was a special meeting, councilors were not required to take public comment; those in attendance were angry they weren't allowed to have their voices heard.

September 10, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

HARWOOD, N.D. (KVRR) – Tensions boiled over in Harwood on the evening of September 10, as a special city council meeting regarding the proposed Applied Digital AI center ended with angry residents trying to make their voices heard. The special meeting was called to approve the rezoning of the land where the proposed data center will be located. Because Mayor…

Disputes Continue Over The Proposed Ai Data Center In Harwood

Disputes continue over proposed AI Data Center in Harwood

September 3, 2025

Juliana Pelaez,

HARWOOD, N.D. (KVRR) — Protesters against the proposed AI Data Center stood outside the Harwood Community Center with signs that read, No power to AI and to Water for farms not for AI in light of the City Council meeting. The group was allowed to come inside and attend the meeting. “Bridge of rezoning to hide from answering questions. This…