North Dakota

Applied Digital AI Data Center July 2025 Update

In the heart of Ellendale, North Dakota, the Applied Digital AI Data Center known as Polaris Forge 1 (Previously ELN02) is steadily emerging as one of the largest purpose-built AI data centers in the United States. This July 2025 site update highlights remarkable progress at the Applied Digital project, designed to set new standards…

Execution at Scale: How Applied Digital Is Powering AI Infrastructure in Ellendale

AI infrastructure is evolving at breakneck speed, and the real challenge is no longer just designing next-generation data centers—it’s executing them at scale. As demand for AI-ready facilities grows, operators must adapt to immense increases in power density, new cooling technologies, and unconventional deployment locations. Power density requirements for AI workloads are pushing the…

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…

Constructing 100 MW of AI Infrastructure: How Applied Digital Built for the Future in Ellendale

As demand for artificial intelligence continues to soar, the AI infrastructure needed to power it is scaling just as rapidly. A 2024 report from the International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts that global spending on AI infrastructure will exceed $200 billion by 2028, driven by an explosion in compute-heavy applications like large language models and…

Applied Digital’s Data Center Design for a 100 MW AI Factory Built from the Ground Up

AI workloads are redefining the limits of data center design and infrastructure. Legacy data centers, built for traditional co-location, cannot handle the density, thermal demands, or power dynamics of accelerated computing. The AI boom has upended the data center sector, forcing a rapid shift to liquid-cooled racks as facilities pivot from sub-10kW racks to…

North Dakota’s Cold Climate Is Fueling the Future of Sustainable Data Centers

As the digital economy accelerates, so does the need for sustainable infrastructure to support it. Data centers, the engines behind our connected world, consume enormous amounts of energy—especially for cooling. Traditional methods rely heavily on electricity and water, straining both the environment and the bottom line. This has sparked a growing focus on sustainable data…

Applied Digital Ellendale AI Data Center: November 2024 Update

In November, Applied Digital’s Ellendale AI Data Center in North Dakota marked another month of significant advancements. Notable achievements during the month included substantial progress on MV cable pulls, laying the groundwork for the center’s robust IT load capabilities. The majority of long-lead mechanical OFCI equipment was successfully delivered and installed, while ancillary building…

Applied Digital Ellendale AI Data Center: October 2024 Update

In October, Applied Digital’s Ellendale AI Data Center project in North Dakota continues to make remarkable strides. Following September’s progress on the utility substation and foundational infrastructure, we now see further development in the facility’s three-tiered structure. Spanning 363,000 square feet, this facility is designed to support a substantial 100MW IT load, positioning it…

Applied Digital’s State-of-the-Art Data Center in North Dakota Is a Game-Changer for Global Tech

Wes Cummins, Chairman and CEO of Applied Digital, discusses the development of a groundbreaking campus in Ellendale, North Dakota. This state-of-the-art data center is being designed to house one of the world’s largest supercomputers, with a focus on power density, low latency, and efficient heat dissipation to handle next-generation workloads. Cummins emphasizes the uniqueness of…

September 2024 Update on Applied Digital’s Cutting-Edge Ellendale AI Data Center

In the September update, we get an exciting sneak peek at the progress of the utility substation and three levels of Applied Digital’s Ellendale AI Data Center in North Dakota. This cutting-edge facility, spanning 363,000 square feet and built to handle a 100MW IT load, is designed to meet the intense demands of AI…

Applied Digital’s Ellendale AI Data Center August Update

As of August 2024, Applied Digital’s Ellendale AI Data Center in North Dakota is progressing well, as the latest video update highlights. The three-level facility spans 363,000 square feet and is engineered to support a 100MW IT load. The main level is dedicated to central utilities that provide robust infrastructure support, while the…

Reviving America: The Power of a Public-Private Partnership

Join Applied Digital’s CEO Wes Cummings as he moderates “Reviving America: The Power of a Public-Private Partnership” at SXSW 2025, featuring North Dakota State Representative Jim Grueneich and Applied Digital’s Nick Phillips. This session delves into how public-private collaborations can revitalize rural communities, using North Dakota’s successful initiative as a blueprint for addressing housing…

AI First: Revolutionizing High-Performance Computing Design at the Ellendale Data Center

In the rapidly evolving high-performance computing (HPC) landscape, a groundbreaking development emerges from Ellendale, North Dakota. This innovation seeks to redefine the benchmarks of computational power and design. In the AI-First Business Podcast, host Tina Yazdi explores the future of HPC design with Wes Cummings, CEO and Chairman of Applied Digital. The discussion centers…

Applied Digital on the Move

This video follows the major accomplishments of Applied Digital from their IPO in Apr 2022 until October of 2023. It includes major announcements like – Partnerships with NVidia, Supermicro and Hewlett Packard – Opening new facilities in North Dakota – Gaining and onboarding new Cloud clients – Initiation of a Cloud AI service

Wes Cummins on the Triumph of Ellendale Facility

Wes Cummins, CEO of Applied Digital, commends the exceptional performance of the Ellendale, North Dakota facility, emphasizing its seamless ramp-up compared to previous sites. He attributes its success to the dedicated design team, labeling it as Applied Digital’s flagship location due to its size, efficiency, and operational prowess. Cummins extends his heartfelt gratitude to everyone…

Harnessing North Dakota’s Natural Advantages

Michael Maniscalco, CTO of Applied Digital, highlights the company’s strategic decision to establish its initial data centers in North Dakota. By leveraging the region’s unique low-cost power and natural cooling, they not only make the training of models cost-effective due to their high power demands but also enhance environmental sustainability. He clarifies that these centers…

Is North Dakota Primed to be the “Silicon Valley of Drones”

Grant Guillot, the host of Drones in America, welcomed renowned UAS industry expert Matt Dunlevy to a discussion of the significance of the drone industry and why it matters. Dunlevy, Founder of SkySkopes and Executive in Residence at UND (University of North Dakota), has an impressive resume. In addition to his “day job”, Dunlevy…