Selected sites for Harmony Energy Park has raised some concerns in the area Castleton (North Dakota). At a meeting with company representatives held on October 1, 2026, several people in the area expressed their concerns about the use of agricultural land. Geronimo Power Plans to build a data center east of Castleton and north of Mapleton in the Rural Municipality of Harmony.
Caryn Weber Explains that he is not opposed to data centers, but questions the location. “It is alarming to see how prime agricultural lands are being concreted”He said at Bondegard Cafe.
The issues that concerned North Dakota residents were noise and water use. Electricity prices and the reduction of agricultural land were also increased. At Castleton, Geronimo representatives distributed materials explaining their plans and reasons for building Harmony.
Designed infrastructure for data centers
One of them is the existing and planned power and gas infrastructure in the area. In the project they give a forecast Primary power supply up to 540 MW.
There is a substation (Bison) in the area and they are also building an associated solar park. Additionally, there are plans storage system (with battery) and a Gas connection (from western North Dakota).
Also Samantha Burchill, student at North Dakota State University (whose parents live near the proposed area), expressed concern that it is located in a rural area. He personally visited the data center that Applied Digital is building near Harwood (north of Fargo). It seemed to him “very disappointing”.
Controversy in institutions
North Dakota State University’s Challey Institute has announced a discussion on the economics of AI at Fargo’s Memorial Union. Dr. was among the guests State Secretary of Agriculture Doug Goehring and Cass County Electric Co. President and CEO Paul Mathis.
Goehring (Republican) has his election challenger, Democrat Vern Thompson, who has made the data center one of his campaign issues.
More than 200 people attended the meeting, according to a Jeronimo representative. The organization maintains that it wants to respond to local priorities. They hope to create jobs, collect taxes and stimulate business in the area.
Picture | Including Expedia Edition and Xataka
