From Valleynewslive · · 2m
Harwood Mayor Reveals Fargo Schools Tax Revenue
Harwood mayor says Applied Digital data center will bring $4.36m yearly tax revenue to Fargo Public Schools.
In brief
Harwood mayor says Applied Digital data center will bring $4.36m yearly tax revenue to Fargo Public Schools. Harwood mayor Blake Hankey states Fargo Public Schools will receive $4.36m annually in property tax revenue from Applied Digital's data center once completed. Originally reported by Valleynewslive.
Tax revenue projection
Harwood mayor Blake Hankey reveals Fargo Public Schools could receive $4.36 million annually in property tax revenue from Applied Digital's data center once completed.
“It’s $4,358,410.56 is the estimated property tax to be collected by Fargo Public Schools”
Projected timeline
Fargo Public Schools will receive $586,196.95 in 2026, $3,268,807 in 2027, and $4,358,410.56 in 2028.
City revenue comparison
Harwood itself is expected to receive approximately $1.65 million from the development, though detailed annual breakdown not provided.
Tax jurisdiction explanation
The data center property is located within Fargo Public Schools’ taxing jurisdiction despite being situated in Harwood.
“That is not in our school district. Just the way the lines worked, and that was long, long, long before me”
Mayor's defense
Hankey emphasizes Fargo Public Schools as the largest beneficiary of the project’s property tax revenue.
“The biggest benefactor of all the data center tax money is the city of Fargo’s public schools”
Resident concerns
Some Harwood residents expressed frustration about the arrangement but Hankey remains appreciative of the anticipated revenue.
“I know some of our residents were not happy about that”
Election results
Harwood voters rejected a proposed Home Rule Charter amendment with 105 votes in favor and 325 against.
Election turnout
The election saw 430 votes cast, representing approximately 75.6 percent opposition.
National media critique
Hankey argues national media mischaracterized the election as a vote for data centers rather than a charter amendment.
“The national media, and this might not be a surprise, but they got it wrong”
Charter amendment impact
The amendment would have created additional administrative requirements for future development projects.
“It really would have hampered any kind of future growth industrially for us. Not just data centers”
Construction progress
Applied Digital's development has advanced with at least one building fully enclosed since September 2025.
Electrical capacity
The project has only power capacity for one and a half data centers.
“We only have power for one and a half”
Traffic concerns
Increased traffic near interstate exits and roads has become the city's biggest construction complaint.
“It’s a little bit frustrating, right, when our residents are used to hopping off the interstate and going home, and there’s a legit line of traffic”
Traffic mitigation
Applied Digital established designated truck routes to keep heavy equipment out of residential areas.
“They’ve routed all their truck traffic off of County Road 20 and then north to keep it out of town”
Law enforcement
Harwood arranged for additional police coverage through Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner’s office.
“We want that to be a priority”
Road litter concerns
Residents reported trash accumulating along roads near the river, prompting mayor to contact Applied Digital.
“First time I’ve heard that”
The takeaway
Harwood mayor Blake Hankey states Fargo Public Schools will receive $4.36m annually in property tax revenue from Applied Digital's data center once completed.
