The site
The site from above
Power
Power and the grid
None energized or contracted yet
Cass County Electric Cooperative grid service (Minnkota Power)Approved
peak load the co-op has approved, per a company executive; the 200 MW IT lease needs less Company · 2026
Campus expansion beyond the leaseCompany claim
company's full campus figure; 800 MW is only a tenant option and has no power approval on record Company · Oct. 2025
ApprovedProposed
Getting on the grid
Who supplies what, what it costs, and what is still not public.
- April 2026Route permit issuedThe commission issues the corridor certificate and route permit for the line and 345/34.5 kV substation. see Permits
- April 2, 2026State hearing on the new lineMinnkota's 1.74-mile 345 kV line and substation (the Agassiz project) get a hearing; the cost estimate rose from $75 million to $110 million, all paid by Applied Digital. News report · April 2026
- April 15, 2026Early grading allowedThe Public Service Commission approves a temporary variance so site grading can start before full approval. see Permits
- April 17, 2026Land deeded to MinnkotaAPLD FAR 01 LLC conveys land to Minnkota Power Cooperative in a recorded deed (price not recorded); Minnkota is to own the new line and substation. County deed records · April 2026
- Oct. 2026Substation due liveMinnkota targeted the new substation for fall 2026 (press); cost and materials pressures were cited. News report · March 2026
- Minnkota will own and operate the line and substation even though Applied Digital pays for them up front. News report · April 2026
- Backup generators are not supply: the draft air permit covers 192 diesel units of 3 MW each (576 MW of nameplate), for outages only. State agency · March 2026
Grid upgrades
No grid upgrade for this campus's load is on record. Related grid records in the area:
- Agassiz Transmission Line & Substation Project (Minnkota Power Cooperative): an ~1.74-mile double-circuit 345-kV tap off the Maple River-Bison line plus a new 345/34.5-kV Agassiz Substation south of Harwood, serving… State agency · April 2026
Permits
Permits checklist
1 pending · 4 granted · 1 checked, nothing on file
Approvals a campus like this normally needs (including an air permit for backup or on-site generators), and what we found.
- ◷Air permit to construct, 192 backup generators (ACP-18345) PendingNorth Dakota Dept. of Environmental Quality · June 15, 2026: draft out for comment through July 15, 2026; no final permit on record State agency · June 2026
- ✓Rezoning, 320 acres to light industrial GrantedHarwood City Council · Sept. 10, 2025: final vote after a contested hearing; no public comment taken News report · Sept. 2025
- ✓Corridor certificate and route permit, 345 kV line and substation GrantedNorth Dakota Public Service Commission · April 2026: issued to Minnkota; exact order date not extracted Utility regulator · April 2026
- ✓Temporary variance for site grading GrantedNorth Dakota Public Service Commission · April 15, 2026: grading only News report · April 2026
- ✓Building permit for the engineer of record GrantedHarwood City Council · Sept. 2, 2025: approved with the first zoning reading News report · Sept. 2025
- –Checked, nothing on file: Sales tax exemption on IT equipment
Risks
What could slow it down
- MediumSingle unnamed tenantOnly one 200 MW lease is signed, with a tenant the company has never named; the extra 800 MW is an option, not a commitment. Company · Oct. 2025
- MediumPower line timing and costThe new substation was targeted for fall 2026 and its cost rose 47% to $110 million (press). News report · April 2026
- MediumAir permit not finalThe generator permit is a draft; a delay could affect commissioning. see Permits
- WatchFargo annexation fightFargo sought to annex the site for tax revenue; Harwood refused in Nov. 2025. News report · Sept. 2025
- WatchProcess criticismResidents were escorted out of a Sept. 2025 hearing and officials signed NDAs with the company. News report · Sept. 2025
Money
Money on record
$5B
contracted lease revenue
about 15 years, 200 MW; two five-year renewal options Company · Oct. 2025
$2.15B
6.75% senior secured notes due 2031
sold at 98 by the project company, closed Mar. 10, 2026; Applied Digital guarantees completion SEC filing · March 2026
$450M
Macquarie preferred equity for this campus
part of a $787.5M draw across North Dakota sites, Nov. 2025 SEC filing · Nov. 2025
$110M
new 345 kV line and substation
paid up front by Applied Digital, up from $75M (press) News report · April 2026
Not on record: Land purchases by APLD FAR 01 LLC, recorded Sept. and Oct. 2025: not recorded, from Fercho Properties and from the Gust living trust, prices not recorded (county deed records) County deed records · Sept. 2025
Land assembly
2 recorded land documents for the campus company in county records (Sept. 2025 to Oct. 2025); none lists a price. 1 sale or conveyance by the campus company or to public bodies is not listed. Parcel counts come from the deed; acreage is not recorded.
- Sept. 2025 Fercho Properties LLP to APLD Far 01 LLC · price not recorded · 2 parcels County deed records · Sept. 2025
- Oct. 2025 David R Gust Living Trust and Gust to APLD Far 01 LLC · price not recorded · 1 parcel County deed records · Oct. 2025
Timeline
What happened, and what is due
SitePaper trailConstructionPowerPermitsMoneyLegalUpcoming
- June 27, 2025Paper trail APLD Far-01 LLC registered in Delaware
- Aug. 18, 2025Site Applied Digital announces a $3 billion, 280 MW campus near Harwood Company · Aug. 2025
- Aug. 25, 2025Site First public meeting in Harwood draws angry residents News report · Aug. 2025
- Sept. 5, 2025Paper trail APLD Far Holdings LLC registered in Delaware
- Sept. 5, 2025Paper trail APLD Far-02 LLC registered in Delaware
- Sept. 10, 2025Permits Harwood council gives final approval to rezone 320 acres News report · Sept. 2025
- Sept. 12, 2025Money Land purchase recorded (no price on the deed): Fercho Properties LLP to APLD Far 01 LLC (2 parcels) County deed records · Sept. 2025
- Sept. 2025Site Applied Digital breaks ground (the company's annual report lists Aug. 18, 2025) News report · Sept. 2025
- Oct. 22, 2025Money Company signs a 200 MW, 15-year lease with an unnamed hyperscaler worth about $5 billion SEC filing · Oct. 2025
- Nov. 2025Site Harwood rejects Fargo's annexation agreement News report · Nov. 2025
- March 10, 2026Money $2.15 billion notes close to fund the leased build News report · March 2026
- April 15, 2026Permits State commission allows grading ahead of full line approval; route permit follows in April News report · April 2026
- June 15, 2026Permits North Dakota publishes the draft air permit for 192 backup generators State agency · June 2026
- July 29, 2026Money Annual report confirms the lease and expected delivery in the second half of 2026 to first half of 2027 SEC filing · July 2026
- Sept. 2026Site Legislature rejects a ban on developer nondisclosure agreements with public officials, 32 to 15 News report · Sept. 2026
- End of 2026Power Company expects the first portion to be operating, the rest in early 2027 News report · Sept. 2026
Construction activity
Building activity by quarter
Since March 2024: 4 FAA filings (Nov. 2025): tallest crane 370 ft (Nov. 2025); 2 satellite captures.
FAA filings
Satellite
’24
’25
Dot size: records in the quarter, largest = 4. Two-digit years mark each first quarter.
The buildings
Specs
192 backup generators
draft permit: Caterpillar 3,000 kW diesels, 576 MW of emergency nameplate, not campus power
Who is involved
Owners, partners and builders
Owners and developers
- Applied Digital Corporation: developer, completion guarantor
- APLD ComputeCo 2 LLC: project company and notes issuer
- Macquarie Asset Management: preferred equity (secondary sources)
Tenant
- Unnamed U.S. investment-grade hyperscaler: 200 MW lease
Power
- Cass County Electric Cooperative: local utility
- Minnkota Power Cooperative: owns the new Agassiz line and substation
Builders
- Century Builders and MBN Engineering (Fargo)
Local government
- City of Harwood and City of Fargo
- North Dakota Public Service Commission and Dept. of Environmental Quality
Still unknown
Open questions
- The tenant's name.
- Whether the generator air permit is finalized.
- Whether the first portion energizes by end 2026.
- Any power approval for the 800 MW expansion.
- 3 unconfirmed county land records near the site: the buyer or location could not be tied to this campus.
Where this comes from
192 records from 35 documents
Drawn from news reports, state agency records, securities filings, business registries, company statements, public and commercial datasets, utility regulator dockets, satellite captures and local government records, each kept with its date and source. The bar shows documents by type.
News report 12State agency 7SEC filing 6Company 5Dataset 5Utility regulator 3Satellite 1Local government 1
Evidence
Every quote behind this page
Grade key: A = the primary record itself (permit, filing, exhibit) · B = a dated official statement · C = news reporting. Map distances are our own measurements on OpenStreetMap and carry no grade. Allegations in lawsuits are marked as such in the quotes.
Power (38)
- Target date: Initial capacity 2H 2026; full 200 MW capacity early 2027“We currently anticipate reaching initial capacity in the second half of calendar year 2026 and full capacity in early calendar year 2027”SEC filing · July 2026 · grade A
- Applied Digital FY26 10-K (filed Jul 29, 2026) lease table confirms Polaris Forge 2: investment-grade hyperscaler, 200 MW contracted critical IT, 15 years, ~$5.0B, expected delivery 2H26-1H27; campus broke ground Aug 18,“Polaris Forge 2 Investment-grade hyperscaler 200 MW 15 years ~$5.0B 2H26-1H27”SEC filing · July 2026 · grade A
- Facility address: 6805 County Rd 81, Harwood, ND 58042 (FAR Generation Plant, Cass County) address“FAR Generation Plant, 6805 County Rd 81, Harwood, ND, 58042, Cass County”State agency · March 2026 · grade A
- Backup generator fleet: 192 Caterpillar 3516E emergency diesel generator engines, 3,000 kW each (96 at FAR01 + 96 at FAR02, 16 engine-bank buildings)“Ninety-six (96) Caterpillar 3516E emergency diesel generator engines rated at 4,393 hp; capable of producing 3,000 kW of power”State agency · March 2026 · grade A
- On-site generation: 576“192 emergency diesel generator engines x 3,000 kW each = 576,000 kW = 576 MW nameplate backup capacity (formula; count and rating from draft permit ACP-18345 Table 1-1)”State agency · March 2026 · grade A
- Utility: Cass County Electric Cooperative (distribution); Minnkota Power Cooperative (generation and transmission)“The Project will be networked and serve Minnkota distribution cooperative-member, Cass County Electric Cooperative”Utility regulator · March 2026 · grade A
- Substation: Agassiz Substation (new, Minnkota-owned, ~15 acres, Reed Township, Harwood ETJ)“The proposed substation will be on approximately 15 acres northwest of the intersection of 64th Avenue North and 45th Street North in Reed Township”Utility regulator · March 2026 · grade A
- Substation kV: 345/34.5 kV“an approximately 1.74-mile double-circuit 345-kilovolt (kV) tap transmission line and associated 345/34.5-kV substation south of Harwood in Cass County”Utility regulator · March 2026 · grade A
- Power plan: grid (utility grid only; diesel is emergency backup, no on-site prime power)“serve Minnkota distribution cooperative-member, Cass County Electric Cooperative, and includes the construction and operation of the proposed Agassiz Transmission Line & Substation Project”Utility regulator · March 2026 · grade A
- large load interconnection request: consolidated application filed - Certificate of Corridor Compatibility and Route Permit for Minnkota's Agassiz Transmission Line and Substation“The Project will be networked and serve Minnkota distribution cooperative-member, Cass County Electric Cooperative, and includes the construction and operation of the proposed Agassiz Transmission Line & Substation Project”Utility regulator · Jan. 2026 · grade A
- IT capacity: 200“covers 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT load purpose-built to support the Hyperscaler's artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance compute (HPC) infrastructure”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- IT capacity: 800“The Hyperscaler also holds a first right of refusal for an additional 800 MW of critical IT”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Stated campus size: 1000“representing the full expansion potential of the 1-gigawatt (GW) Polaris Forge 2 Campus”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- IT capacity: 200 MW“covers 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT load purpose-built to support the Hyperscaler's artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance compute (HPC) infrastructure”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Stated campus size: 1,000 MW“The Hyperscaler also holds a first right of refusal for an additional 800 MW of critical IT, representing the full expansion potential of the 1-gigawatt (GW) Polaris Forge 2 Campus”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Applied Digital 8-K (Oct 22, 2025): ~15-year lease signed at Polaris Forge 2 (Harwood, ND) with an unnamed U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler; 200 MW critical IT, ~$5B contracted revenue; tenant holds first right of“This lease represents approximately $5 billion in total contracted revenue over an estimated 15-year lease term and covers 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT load”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Name: Applied Digital Polaris Forge 2“announced today it plans to break ground in September 2025 on Polaris Forge 2, a $3 billion, 280-megawatt (MW) AI Factory near Harwood, North Dakota”Company · Aug. 2025 · grade A
- Stated campus size: 280 MW“Polaris Forge 2, a $3 billion, 280-megawatt (MW) AI Factory near Harwood, North Dakota. Designed with the ability to scale beyond its initial 280MW”Company · Aug. 2025 · grade A
- Aliases: Harwood Data Center Campus; FAR Generation Plant (ND DEQ air permit name)“FAR Generation Plant (ND DEQ permit name) [P093]”grade B
- On-site power technology: diesel emergency generator sets (backup only“192 gensets x 3,000 kW draft ND DEQ permit (FAR Generation Plant, ACP-18345/ACP-18338), emergency only [P093]”grade B
- Agassiz Transmission Line & Substation Project (Minnkota Power Cooperative): an ~1.74-mile double-circuit 345-kV tap off the Maple River-Bison line plus a new 345/34.5-kV Agassiz Substation south of Harwood, serving Cass“the proposed Agassiz Transmission Line & Substation Project (Project), an approximately 1.74-mile double-circuit 345- kilovolt (kV) tap transmission line and associated 345/34.5-kV substation south of Harwood”State agency · April 2026 · grade B
- Interconnection status: ND PSC Case PU-26-22: certificate of corridor compatibility and route permit for Agassiz line/substation issued Apr 2026; temporary variance for preliminary grading approved April 15, 2026; build cust“32 PU-26-22 Filed 04/28/2026 - Certification Relating to Order Provisions - Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.”Utility regulator · April 2026 · grade B
- transmission siting (certificate of corridor compatibility & route permit): certificate and route permit issued (order in docket; Minnkota certification relating to order provisions filed April 28, 2026)“32 PU-26-22 Filed 04/28/2026 Pages: 8 Certification Relating to Order Provisions Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.”Utility regulator · April 2026 · grade B
- Water use stated: near-zero water consumption; closed-loop cooling (company design PUE 1.18)“Polaris Forge 2 spans more than 900 acres and is designed for high efficiency, with a projected power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.18 and near-zero water consumption (per release as summarized in coverage)”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade B
- Nearest power line: 2.23 km (230 kV Pillsbury - Maple River 230kV, Minnkota Power Cooperative)Measured on OpenStreetMap map data.
- Nearest power line of 230 kV or more: 2.23 km to 230 kV line (, Pillsbury - Maple River 230kV)Measured on OpenStreetMap map data.
- Nearest substation: 8.58 km (unnamed)Measured on OpenStreetMap map data.
- Nearest gas pipeline: none tagged within 15 km on the mapMeasured on OpenStreetMap map data.
- Power plants within 5 km: none within 5 km on the mapMeasured on OpenStreetMap map data.
- Utility service: 280 MW“That large load — up to 280 megawatts — will be used to keep computers cool and running smoothly”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- Interconnection status: ND PSC-approved delivery - Minnkota Agassiz 345 kV line and substation approved Apr 29, 2026 (Case No. PU-26-22); Cass County Electric Cooperative (distribution) / Minnkota Power Cooperative (G&T)“The North Dakota Public Service Commission has approved a power project to serve a data center that is under construction north of Fargo.”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- large load interconnection request: approved unanimously (Certificate of Corridor Compatibility and Route Permit); temporary variance for preliminary construction had been approved Apr 15, 2026“The North Dakota Public Service Commission has approved a power project to serve a data center that is under construction north of Fargo.”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- transmission siting: temporary variance approved for preliminary construction (site grading) ahead of full project approval“The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Wednesday approved a temporary variance allowing preliminary construction activities to proceed for power projects to serve a data center north of Fargo”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- transmission siting (certificate of corridor compatibility & route permit): public hearing held (Fargo)“The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Thursday held a hearing in Fargo on what is known as the Agassiz Transmission Line and Substation”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- Agassiz Transmission Line & Substation cost estimate rose from $75M to $110M (about +47%) between March and April 2026; Minnkota cited the fall energization deadline, scarce materials and tariffs; APLD still covers full“The cost of the powerline and substation needed by a data center north of Fargo has risen from $75 million to $110 million, but developers say the data center company will still cover the entire cost”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- Satellite imagery (Sentinel-2, via Rinvio) shows the campus site graded by Mar 2, 2026 - construction under way; substation targeted live fall 2026“March 2, 2026. The graded site under construction, a dark rectangle on the snow, with Harwood and Interstate 29 at upper left”News report · March 2026 · grade C
- Acres: 900+ acres“Applied Digital has contracted to purchase more than 900 acres for the campus and secured power from Cass County Electric Cooperative”News report · Nov. 2025 · grade C
- Groundbreaking date: Sept. 2025 (September 2025)“In September, Applied Digital broke ground on Polaris Forge 2, a 280-megawatt (MW) AI computing center in Harwood”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
Money and contracts (38)
- Lease renewal options: Two five-year renewal options (Polaris Forge 2 lease)“Each lease includes multiple five-year renewal options (three five-year options, except Polaris Forge 2, which includes two five-year options)”SEC filing · July 2026 · grade A
- tenant lease: scope not named end customer identity“entered into a data center lease with a U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler to deliver 200MW of critical IT load to support the hyperscaler's AI and HPC infrastructure at Polaris Forge 2”SEC filing · July 2026 · grade A
- tenant lease: capacity 200 MW critical IT“On October 20, 2025, APLD FAR-01 LLC and APLD FAR-02 LLC, the Company's subsidiaries, entered into a data center lease with a U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler to deliver 200MW of critical IT load”SEC filing · July 2026 · grade A
- tenant lease: term approx. 15 years; two 5-year renewal options term“Each lease includes multiple five-year renewal options (three five-year options, except Polaris Forge 2, which includes two five-year options), which are not reflected in the amounts shown”SEC filing · July 2026 · grade A
- phase delivery: delivery 200 MW critical IT“We currently anticipate reaching initial capacity in the second half of calendar year 2026 and full capacity in early calendar year 2027”SEC filing · July 2026 · grade A
- Financing notes: 2.15“has priced a $2.15 billion offering of 6.750% senior secured notes due 2031 at an issue price of 98%”SEC filing · March 2026 · grade A
- Financing: $2.15B 6.750% senior secured notes due 2031, issuer APLD ComputeCo 2 LLC, priced March 4, 2026 at 98, closed March 10, 2026; proceeds fund the 200 MW leased build; APLD completion guarantee USD“its subsidiary, APLD ComputeCo 2 LLC ("APLD Compute 2"), has priced a $2.15 billion offering of 6.750% senior secured notes due 2031 at an issue price of 98%”SEC filing · March 2026 · grade A
- Applied Digital 8-K (Mar 4, 2026): APLD ComputeCo 2 LLC priced $2.15B of 6.750% senior secured notes due 2031 at 98 to fund development and construction of Polaris Forge 2“APLD Compute 2 intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund the development and construction of”SEC filing · March 2026 · grade A
- Financing macquarie pf2: 450“Of the anticipated funding, $450 million will be allocated toward completing the build-out of Polaris Forge 2”SEC filing · Nov. 2025 · grade A
- Applied Digital 8-K (Nov 12, 2025): second Macquarie Asset Management preferred-equity draw of $787.5M across the North Dakota campuses, of which $450M is allocated to completing Polaris Forge 2 (facility of up to $5.0B)“The anticipated additional draws of an aggregate amount equal to $787.5 million are expected to be completed by the end of the month”SEC filing · Nov. 2025 · grade A
- Tenant lease status: Lease executed Oct 22, 2025 with an unnamed U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler“entered into a lease agreement with a U.S. Based Investment Grade Hyperscaler at its state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polaris Forge 2 Campus”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Lease contracted revenue: approx. 5“approximately $5 billion in total contracted revenue over an estimated 15-year lease term”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Lease term: 15“Approximate 15-Year Lease Agreement to Deliver 200MW of Critical IT Capacity at Polaris Forge 2”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Tenant status: signed“entered into a lease agreement with a U.S. Based Investment Grade Hyperscaler at its state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polaris Forge 2 Campus”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Tenants: unnamed U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler (identity not disclosed)“entered into a lease agreement with a U.S. Based Investment Grade Hyperscaler at its state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polaris Forge 2 Campus”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Tenants: Unnamed U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscaler (company has never named the tenant)“it has entered into a lease agreement with a U.S. Based Investment Grade Hyperscaler at its ... Polaris Forge 2 Campus”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Tenant status: signed lease - approx. 15-year term, approx. $5B total contracted revenue, 200 MW critical IT; tenant holds first right of refusal on additional 800 MW USD“This lease represents approximately $5 billion in total contracted revenue over an estimated 15-year lease term and covers 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT load”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Tenant lease: execution“entered into a lease agreement with a U.S. Based Investment Grade Hyperscaler at its state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polaris Forge 2 Campus”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Tenant lease: capacity 200 MW critical IT“covers 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT load purpose-built to support the Hyperscaler's artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance compute (HPC) infrastructure”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Tenant lease: capacity 800 MW critical IT“The Hyperscaler also holds a first right of refusal for an additional 800 MW of critical IT”SEC filing · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- tenant lease: contract value 5000000000 USD contracted revenue, approx., base term“This lease represents approximately $5 billion in total contracted revenue over an estimated 15-year lease term and covers 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT load purpose-built to support the Hyperscaler's artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance compute (HPC) infrastructure”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- tenant lease: capacity 800 MW critical IT, first right of refusal only, not committed capacity“The Hyperscaler also holds a first right of refusal for an additional 800 MW of critical IT, representing the full expansion potential of the 1-gigawatt (GW) Polaris Forge 2 Campus”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- tenant lease: contracted revenue over term 5000000000 USD approx“This lease represents approximately $5 billion in total contracted revenue over an estimated 15-year lease term and covers 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT load”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- tenant lease: first right of refusal on expansion capacity 800 MW critical IT“The Hyperscaler also holds a first right of refusal for an additional 800 MW of critical IT, representing the full expansion potential of the 1-gigawatt (GW) Polaris Forge 2 Campus”Company · Oct. 2025 · grade A
- Stated capital cost: 3000000000 USD“Polaris Forge 2, a $3 billion, 280-megawatt (MW) AI Factory near Harwood, North Dakota”Company · Aug. 2025 · grade A
- Incentives: ND qualified data center sales/use tax exemption on enterprise IT equipment and software (N.D.C.C. 57-39.2-04.17; Tax Commissioner certification; first four qualified data centers only). No project-specific p“Sales tax exemption for owners, operators, and tenants on the information technology equipment and computer software ... of a qualified data center. (Limited to the first four qualified data centers approved by the Tax Commissioner.)”State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade B
- Stage: building on track (B-side view: rezoning final, lease signed, $2.15B financing closed, PSC route permit issued, groundbreaking done)“APLD Compute 2 intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund the development and construction of 200 megawatts of critical IT load at Polaris Forge 2”Company · Oct. 2026 · grade B
- state incentive program (not project-specific): sales and use tax exemption on enterprise IT equipment and computer software in a qualified data center“Sales tax exemption for owners, operators, and tenants on the information technology equipment and computer software, including replacement equipment and software, of a qualified data center. (Limited to the first four qualified data centers approved by the Tax Commissioner.)”State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade B
- Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD“Recorded: April 17, 2026 · Grantor: APLD FAR 01 LLC · Grantee: MINNKOTA POWER COOPERATIVE INC · Address: 000 ADDRESS EXCEPTION · City: CITY EXCEPTION”County deed records · April 2026 · grade B
- Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD“Recorded: Oct. 9, 2025 · Grantor: DAVID R GUST LIVING TRUST · Grantee: APLD FAR 01 LLC · Parcel number: 75-0500-00301-000 · City: HARWOOD”County deed records · Oct. 2025 · grade B
- Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD“Recorded: Sept. 12, 2025 · Grantor: FERCHO PROPERTIES LLP · Grantee: APLD FAR 01 LLC · Parcel number: 60-0000-00092-000 · City: FARGO”County deed records · Sept. 2025 · grade B
- customer-funded transmission construction: cost responsibility - APLD pays full project cost upfront 110000000 USD (Apr 2026 estimate; up from $75M)“Minnkota officials told the Public Service Commission that its large load customer - Applied Digital - will pay for the project up front, with no cost to other rate-payers”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- customer-funded transmission construction: ownership - facilities owned and operated by Minnkota despite APLD funding“Applied Digital will pay for the project but it will be owned by Minnkota Power Cooperative”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- $2.15B senior secured notes offering closed (priced March 4, 2026); APLD ComputeCo 2 LLC issuer; proceeds fund 200 MW leased build at Polaris Forge 2“successfully closed a $2.15 billion senior secured notes offering ... The notes were priced at 98% of their face value, with the transaction closing on March 10, 2026”News report · March 2026 · grade C
- Square feet: 1800000 sq ft“Initial plans call for two buildings, each about 900,000 sq ft, with room for expansion”News report · Nov. 2025 · grade C
- General contractor: Century Builders (project team per ENR; also MBN Engineering and Midwest Inspection Services)“The project team includes Century Builders; MBN Engineering; and Midwest Inspection Services - all with offices in Fargo”News report · Nov. 2025 · grade C
- Harwood rejected an annexation agreement submitted by Fargo (city auditor Chayla Hanson, via ENR); dispute framed as Fargo seeking the project's tax revenue“Harwood City Auditor Chayla Hanson said the city in November rejected an annexation agreement submitted by Fargo”News report · Nov. 2025 · grade C
- Opposition: Contentious Sep 2025 hearings (residents escorted out by deputies); Fargo annexation dispute (Fargo bid Aug 2025 for ~800 acres incl. site; Harwood rejected annexation agreement Nov 2025); city/company NDAs c“Harwood's City Hall was filled to capacity for the meeting, with some project opponents pressing signs against the windows for council members to see”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
Permits and government (19)
- Proposed PTC for 192 emergency diesel generators: 96 Caterpillar 3516E at FAR01 : draft Permit to Construct proposed - notice of intent to issue (public comment June 15, 2026 to July 15, 2026)“Take notice that the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ or the Department) proposes to issue an Air Pollution Control Permit to Construct to Applied Digital Corporation (Applied Digital) for the construction of 192 emergency generators”State agency · June 2026 · grade A
- Applied Digital Corporation, FAR Generation Plant, 6805 County Rd 81, Harwood, N: application received“the Department has reviewed the permit application Received March 9, 2026, to obtain a Permit to Construct for the Applied Digital Corporation FAR Generation Plant, located in Cass County, North Dakota”State agency · March 2026 · grade A
- FAA OE/AAA: Determined - No Hazard“South West Corner”FAA · Nov. 2025 · grade A
- FAA OE/AAA: Determined - No Hazard“North West Corner”FAA · Nov. 2025 · grade A
- FAA OE/AAA: Determined - No Hazard“North East Corner”FAA · Nov. 2025 · grade A
- FAA OE/AAA: Determined - No Hazard“Will have a crane onsite to build the Datacenter”FAA · Nov. 2025 · grade A
- Fargo City Commission: Executive session on annexation negotiating strategy / anticipated litigation with City of Harwood and Applied Digital Corporation“Mayor Mahoney announced that the Board of City Commissioners will retire into Executive Session ... regarding annexation with the City of Harwood and/or Applied Digital Corporation”Local government · Sept. 2025 · grade A
- air permit (synthetic minor): draft permits issued for public notice (facility name FAR Generation Plant)“FAR Generation Plant, synthetic minor; application Mar 9 2026; draft / public notice Jun 15 2026”grade B
- ND special legislative session (Sep 2-4, 2026): bill to ban NDAs between data center developers and public officials (Harwood/Fargo officials had signed NDAs with APLD) failed in the Senate 32-15; a proposed data center“leaders in Harwood and Fargo signed NDAs with Applied Digital during talks about building the data center. The NDA bill failed Thursday in the Senate with a 32-15 vote”News report · Sept. 2026 · grade C
- ND Public Service Commission: Temporary variance allowing preliminary construction (site grading) for the Agassiz project ahead of full approval“The variance will allow the company to begin site preparation, such as site grading, prior to approval of the full project”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- ND Public Service Commission (hearing, Fargo): Agassiz Transmission Line and Substation permit hearing (Case PU-26-22)“There was no public testimony on the project. Commission Chair Randy Christmann said that was unusual”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- Rezoning date: Sept. 10, 2025 (final approval / second reading; first reading Sept. 2, 2025)“Harwood called a special meeting Wednesday to approve rezoning 320 acres from agricultural to light industrial so Texas-based Applied Digital can build a $3 billion facility”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
- rezoning: final approval (second reading)“The Harwood City Council gave final approval for a data center Wednesday ... Harwood called a special meeting Wednesday to approve rezoning 320 acres from agricultural to light industrial”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
- City of Fargo initiated annexation bid for ~800 acres north of Fargo including the data center site; Harwood council voted to oppose; Fargo commission decision process ran into Nov 2025“Fargo will be mailing annexation notices to property owners, the city of Harwood, Cass County and townships of its proposal to annex three areas between Fargo and Harwood, including the Applied Digital site”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
- Harwood City Council (special meeting): Final approval (second reading) of rezoning 320 acres agricultural to light industrial“The Harwood City Council gave final approval for a data center Wednesday”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
- rezoning: P&Z recommended approval; council approved first reading of zoning change and building permit (MBN Engineering); council also voted to oppose Fargo annexation“The Planning and Zoning Board recommended rezoning a 320-acre area southeast of Harwood from agriculture to light industrial. The City Council then approved a first reading of the zoning change”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
- Contentious P&Z/council hearings: crowd shouted down speakers, two people escorted out by sheriff's deputies; opponents called the process a "done deal" (WORC account)“the council ignored residents' pleas to push pause on the data center, unanimously voting to approve the zoning changes and building permits”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
- Harwood Planning & Zoning Board and City Council: Rezoning 320 acres agricultural to light industrial; building permit for MBN Engineering; motion to oppose Fargo annexation“The Planning and Zoning Board recommended rezoning a 320-acre area southeast of Harwood from agriculture to light industrial”News report · Sept. 2025 · grade C
- Harwood community meeting (Harwood Community Center): First public meeting on the project after the Aug 18 announcement; APLD VP Nick Phillips Q&A (90 min)“Residents from in and around Harwood lined up Monday to ask questions about a $3 billion data center planned for the town”News report · Aug. 2025 · grade C
Site and other (10)
- Groundbreaking date: Aug. 18, 2025“On August 18, 2025, we broke ground on our Polaris Forge 2 data center campus near Harwood, North Dakota”SEC filing · July 2026 · grade A
- Owner companies: APLD ComputeCo 2 LLC (project co / notes issuer); APLD FAR-01 LLC; APLD FAR-02 LLC; APLD FAR-01 LandCo LLC; APLD FAR-02 LandCo LLC; parent APLD FAR Holdings LLC (Delaware)“guaranteed by ... APLD FAR-01 HoldCo LLC, APLD FAR-02 HoldCo LLC, APLD FAR-01 LLC, APLD FAR-02 LLC, APLD FAR-01 LandCo LLC, and APLD FAR-02 LandCo LLC”Company · March 2026 · grade A
- Developer: Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: APLD)“Applied Digital Corporation (Nasdaq: APLD) announced today it plans to break ground in September 2025 on Polaris Forge 2”Company · Aug. 2025 · grade A
- Announced: Aug. 18, 2025“DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Digital Corporation ... announced today it plans to break ground in September 2025 on Polaris Forge 2”Company · Aug. 2025 · grade A
- Original target date: initial capacity 2026; full capacity early 2027“the campus - with initial capacity in 2026 and reaching full capacity in early 2027”Company · Aug. 2025 · grade A
- Location status: NOT LOCATED on the map: no Applied Digital / Polaris / FAR object, no data-center or construction polygon, and no building over 0.25 ha exists in the Harwood ND search areas as of Oct. 18, 2026Measured on OpenStreetMap map data.
- Current target date: first portion operating end of 2026; balance early 2027 (no slip vs original guidance found)“Part of the Harwood, North Dakota data center is on pace to be operating by the end of 2026, Phillips said, with the rest opening in early 2027”News report · Sept. 2026 · grade C
- Workforce estimate: 200-250“between 200 and 250 people will work there once it does”News report · Sept. 2026 · grade C
- Construction stage: under construction - groundbreaking Sep 2025; site graded by Mar 2026 (secondary/imagery reporting; vertical not independently verified in B-side sources this pass)“March 2, 2026. The graded site under construction, a dark rectangle on the snow, with Harwood and Interstate 29 at upper left (Sentinel-2)”News report · March 2026 · grade C
- Buildings: 2 buildings“Initial plans call for two buildings, each about 900,000 sq ft, with room for expansion”News report · Oct. 2025 · grade C
Imagery and records: Satellite imagery: Maxar via Esri World Imagery Wayback. County deeds: ATTOM.