Local Economic Development

Workforce, Housing, and Growth: How Applied Digital Is Revitalizing a Rural Town Through AI Infrastructure

As AI infrastructure spreads beyond tech hubs and into America’s heartland, companies face a new imperative: not just to build facilities—but to build trust, local partnerships, and long-term value for the communities that host them. In Ellendale, North Dakota, Applied Digital’s Polaris Forge 1 campus has become a case study in what rural revitalization…

Opportunity Is Knocking, Small Towns Must Answer

As innovation spreads beyond urban centers, small towns are increasingly finding themselves at the forefront of economic transformation. Whether it’s a tech company setting up shop or a new industry planting roots, these shifts present a rare chance for rural communities to redefine their futures. But opportunity alone isn’t enough—it takes local leadership, a collaborative…