(Zero Hedge)—Harwood, North Dakota, a town of about 940 people ten miles from Fargo, was the only place in the country where voters sided with a data center on Election Day, according to Redbud Consulting data cited by Fortune, which counted 45 data center ballot measures nationwide. In Harwood, about 75 percent of the 430 votes cast, 325, went against Measure 2, a charter amendment that would have put new hurdles in front of large industrial projects. The results are unofficial.
The measure would have amended the town’s Home Rule Charter to require independent reviews and public hearings for large industrial projects. A grassroots group, Voices of Harwood, finished drafting it in January and, in August, gathered 91 signatures in three days, more than twice the 40 required. Its organizer, software developer Michael Swartz, who has lived in town nearly 20 years, told Fortune the language that reached the ballot differed significantly from what his group had submitted.
The target was Applied Digital’s Polaris Forge 2, a $3 billion, 280-megawatt AI campus on the edge of town. Harwood’s city council approved it in September 2025 over strong objections from residents, and construction began that month. Fortune reports residents had learned of it about three weeks earlier. Applied Digital announced in October 2025 a lease worth about $5 billion over 15 years for 200 megawatts with an unnamed hyperscaler, and by March it had closed $2.15 billion in financing for a campus local TV described as leased to Oracle.
Town leaders and the regional business lobby fought the measure. Mayor Blake Hankey publicly opposed it and did not respond to Fortune’s requests for comment. The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce circulated materials claiming passage would cost taxpayers an extra $300,000 to $544,000 and raise annual taxes by thousands of dollars through lost projects. Hankey has said the data center will bring in $1.65 million in taxes by 2028, and Councilman Chris Higgins worried the measure could lead Applied Digital to de-annex the project and take the tax benefits with it.
Swartz’s side said the point was process, not the data center itself. “Long term, there’s some really serious implications that I don’t think have been fully fleshed-out,” he told Fortune. His wife, Amanda Swartz, put it more simply: “People deserve a say in projects of this scope.”
The timing could hardly be worse for the industry elsewhere. As we reported, the Democratic sweep has put data center moratoriums at the center of the AI trade’s worries, with the Nasdaq down more than 5 percent by midday Thursday in a selloff that hit hyperscaler and neocloud stocks. Separately, Microsoft was reported to be winding down its deal to rent Oracle’s AI cloud capacity.
North Dakota’s own take on the vote surfaced within a day. On Nov. 4, the Plain Talk show posted a clip on X asking why the national anti-data center backlash fell flat in the state, with the account’s guest and hosts discussing the Harwood vote.
Applied Digital’s Nick Phillips told Fortune the company chose Harwood for its cooler climate, access to energy and “pro-business landscape,” and North Dakota exempts the project’s computers, cooling systems and servers from its 5 percent sales tax.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
