Company’s new Harwood-area 280 MW AI Factory is slated for initial operations in 2026 and full capacity in early 2027
Everything’s bigger in Texas, especially this AI data center news coming out of Applied Digital Corporation’s (NASDAQ: APLD) headquarters in Dallas. On the heels of winning Best Data Centre in the Americas, the company just announced plans to break ground on Polaris Forge 2, a $3 billion, 280-megawatt (MW) AI Factory near Harwood, North Dakota, this September.
About Applied Digital’s Polaris Forge 2 Campus
This state-of-the-art AI Factory is designed to scale beyond its initial 280MW capacity, with operations commencing in 2026 and reaching full capacity by early 2027.
Applied Digital has contracted more than 900 acres for the campus and secured power through Cass County Electric Cooperative. Once Polaris Forge 2 is fully operational, it is expected to employ more than 200 full-time employees, in addition to long-term contractors.
Behind Applied Digital’s Polaris Forge 2 Campus
The new project comes as the demand for AI computing capacity continues to skyrocket, with hyperscalers, enterprises, and research organizations seeking scalable, high-performance infrastructure.
Polaris Forge 2 builds on the success of Applied Digital’s award-winning Polaris Forge 1 Ellendale campus, expanding the company’s presence in a state that offers abundant energy, available land, and a pro-business climate.
“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,” said Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital. “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. We have strong interest from multiple parties and are in advanced negotiations with a U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler for this campus, making it both timely and prudent to proceed with groundbreaking and site development. 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.”
“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,” Governor Kelly Armstrong said. “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.”
North Dakota is Leading the AI Infrastructure Race
With abundant power resources, including renewable, available land, and a growing base of technical talent, North Dakota is rapidly becoming a leading destination for AI infrastructure in North America.
“Applied Digital’s investment in Ellendale is a model for rural innovation—bringing high-tech infrastructure, workforce housing, and long-term economic opportunity to North Dakota,” said Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken. “Their expansion into Harwood builds on that success and is exactly the kind of strategic partnership and investment that strengthens our communities and positions our state for the future.”
Read the Full Polaris Forge 2 Announcement Now
For the full scoop, including quotes from several government officials and non-profit organization leaders, click here.
For media inquiries, contact Jo Albers or Buffy Harakidas at [email protected].
