Applied Digital rendering, Harwood (Courtesy/Applied Digital)
FARGO (KFGO) – The mayors of Fargo and Harwood appear to have come to an agreement on what’s become a controversial land annexation discussion.
Assistant City Attorney Ian McClean drafted the agreement, which will be presented to the Fargo City Commission on Monday, Nov. 24.
The land in question is five miles north of Fargo and southeast of Harwood, where Texas-based company Applied Digital plans to build a $3 billion artificial intelligence data center.
The west half of the approximately 300 acres is within Harwood’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and is currently owned by Applied Digital. The east half is within Fargo’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and is currently owned by Fercho Properties, LLC.
According to Monday’s Fargo City Commission agenda, the draft agreement says Fargo will take no action to annex the west half and Harwood will take no action to annex the east half. The agreement would have a term of 20 years, which is the maximum allowed under state law.
If approved by the Fargo City Commission, the city will send the draft agreement to Harwood’s City Council for their consideration and approval.
The land annexation has become a controversial topic for the two cities. Harwood Mayor Blake Hankey spoke at Fargo’s City Commission meeting on Nov. 10, asking the city to “back off.” He accused Fargo of trying to annex the land behind their backs and not working in good faith with the City of Harwood.
Property owners and Applied Digital also submitted letters protesting the land annexation.
The Fargo City Attorney’s Office recommends the commission postpone consideration of the annexation, saying a resolution is not possible without proceeding to mediation. The Fargo City Commission meets at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24 at Fargo City Hall.
Work has already started on the AI data center. Applied Digital plans to open the facility in 2027.
Previous Coverage:
- LISTEN: Mayors of Fargo, Harwood spar over $3B AI data center project
- Fargo delays voting on annexing AI data center land north of Fargo, also rejects pausing Harm Reduction Program
- Fargo seeks to annex land near Harwood where proposed AI data center may go, company will protest
- Harwood signs off on data center but Fargo still eyes the property
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