A data center is a secure building that houses computer servers and networking equipment. The Data Campus would host computing used for artificial intelligence and cloud services for large technology companies.

County rules require the owner to post financial security before construction, based on an engineer’s estimate of the full cost to remove all structures and restore the land. The estimate is prepared by an independent North Dakota engineering firm, and the security must equal 125% of that cost. If the project ever closes, the money to clean up the site is already set aside.

The main sources of sound are the natural gas engines, their radiators and the cooling equipment on the data center roofs. An independent acoustical firm modeled sound levels at every nearby structure, using manufacturer sound data. County rules require data centers to be at least one mile from existing homes unless the owner agrees otherwise. From our property line, the site will produce about 20db of noise. A quiet field produces about 45db.

About 10 acre-feet per year, less than a single irrigated quarter section of alfalfa. The data centers use closed-loop dry cooling: the same water circulates in sealed pipes and is cooled by air, so there are no cooling towers and no ongoing evaporation. The engines are reciprocating engines, so their water usage is also minimal. Most of the water used on site is for staff restrooms and kitchens.

The campus is designed to generate its own electricity on site. It does not depend on grid power, so it cannot affect grid reliability or electric rates for local customers.

From Bakken production in western North Dakota, purchased from regional gas processors and delivered by pipeline. Using gas here keeps more of North Dakota’s production and its value in the state.

The generators burn natural gas and use emissions controls, including selective catalytic reduction to reduce nitrogen oxides. The power plant requires an air quality permit from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, which sets and enforces emissions limits.

Property taxes are set in "mills," dollars of tax per $1,000 of taxable value. The project site is taxed at about 134 mills in total, shared among several local entities.

Initially, the project is expected to generate about $33.5 million a year in property taxes. Once completed, that rises to about $273 million a year.

The largest share, about 70%, goes to Williston Basin School District #7A at 94 mills. That's about $23.5 million a year initially and about $192 million a year once completed. Williams County receives 27.05 mills, about $6.8 million initially and $55 million once completed.

The remaining mills go to the Airport (3.97 mills), the Alamo Rural Fire District (3.20 mills), the Soil Conservation District (1.71 mills), the Library (1.12 mills), Garrison Diversion (1.00 mill), the State of North Dakota (1.00 mill) and Vector Control (0.98 mills).

Building the campus will generate sales tax on construction materials and equipment. Williams County receives a 1% local share, and the State of North Dakota receives 5%. The county's share is estimated at about $42 million during the initial construction and about $356 million over the full construction of the campus.

The project is expected to create about 250 permanent jobs, roughly 210 in data center operations and 40 running the power plant. Construction will employ thousands of workers over several years. Positions include facility operations, electrical and mechanical technicians, power plant operators, security and administration.

Western Dakota Infrastructure Corp., owned by locals and headquartered in Williston.

Attend the public hearings listed on the home page, send written comments to the county Planning & Zoning office, or contact us directly.