Applied Digital to Build 280MW AI Campus in North Dakota
Former cryptomine operator turned AI infrastructure company Applied Digital is planning a major new data centre campus in North Dakota, strengthening its position in the high-performance computing (HPC) and AI sector.
The company has revealed plans for Polaris Forge 2, a US$3bn, 280MW campus to be developed near Harwood in Cass County.
Designed with Applied’s Polaris Forge liquid-cooled architecture, the site will extend over 900 acres.
Set to break ground in September 2025, the first phase of the campus will go live in 2026 with full capacity expected by early 2027.
Power for the development has been secured through Cass County Electric Cooperative.
Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital, says: "We believe Polaris Forge 2 represents the next stage in Applied Digital’s rapid growth and our position as a leader in delivering high-performance AI infrastructure.
“The demand for AI capacity continues to accelerate, and North Dakota continues to be one of the most strategic locations in the country to meet that need.”
Wes notes that the site has already drawn “strong interest” from multiple parties, with the company in “advanced negotiations with a US-based investment-grade hyperscaler” for the project.
“We believe this new campus will strengthen our operations, increase our ability to scale, and create lasting value for both our customers and the communities we serve," he adds.
Expanding the Polaris Forge footprint
Applied already operates a HPC campus in North Dakota, located in Ellendale and now branded Polaris Forge 1.
Built to support 400MW of critical IT load, with expansion potential of more than 1GW, the site uses a closed-loop, waterless, direct-to-chip cooling system.
Construction began on Polaris Forge 1 in 2022, originally to support cryptomining hosting.
It is now being repurposed for AI and HPC following a major deal with AI cloud company CoreWeave.
The company’s plans for Polaris Forge 2 mark a continued evolution from its origins as Applied Blockchain.
Although it never mined Bitcoin itself, Applied hosted hardware for cryptomining clients.
Rising demand for HPC and AI capacity has since reshaped its operations, with the company also now offering its own cloud services and hosting Nvidia Blackwell GPUs.
Beyond Ellendale, Applied also operates JMS01, a 106MW facility in Jamestown, North Dakota, and is planning a 200MW site in Iowa.
Reports suggest the company is evaluating further development in South Dakota.
Local energy partnership
Cass County Electric Cooperative, a not-for-profit member-owned utility, is the power partner for Polaris Forge 2.
Paul Matthys, President and CEO of Cass County Electric Cooperative, says: “We are excited to have the opportunity to provide Applied Digital with the power they need to drive innovation and technology in a way that benefits our communities and legacy members.
"As we work through the final stages of an agreement, we will continue to keep our cooperative values at heart while preparing to meet the needs of future generations.”
This partnership is seen as a key element in ensuring the Harwood campus can deliver on its 280MW target while aligning with local priorities.
Statewide impact
Applied’s continued expansion in North Dakota has drawn support from state leadership.
Governor Kelly Armstrong says: “North Dakota wins when companies like Applied Digital choose to be more than an employer.
"In Ellendale, they invested in people through workforce housing and created strong local partnerships that strengthen the community.
“We’re excited that they are committing to expanding their presence in North Dakota with a Harwood location, continuing the trend of being a positive corporate citizen and helping to develop our rural communities while contributing to our strong economy.”
As demand for AI infrastructure continues to accelerate, Applied Digital’s latest project underlines how regional development, sustainable design and hyperscale partnerships are reshaping the data centre landscape in the US.
