HARWOOD, N.D. — After facing questions, heated comments and shouting, Harwood city leaders took first steps in green-lighting a $3 billion artificial intelligence data center.

The Harwood City Council unanimously voted Tuesday, Sept. 2, to rezone from agriculture to light industrial land where Applied Digital plans to build the AI center. The vote was a first reading, meaning the council will vote one more time on the rezoning before it is finalized.

“Tonight is not a gavel drop that this is a 'yes' or 'no,'” City Auditor Chayla Hansen said.

The next Harwood Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6. Mayor Blake Hankey could call a special meeting before then.

He told the crowd there would be more opportunities for residents to comment on the project.

“There is nothing planned as we

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