Per-MW pricing, regional variance, and cost drivers for owners scoping hyperscale & AI builds.
Salary benchmarks across the 14 mission-critical disciplines.
CASS COUNTY, N.D. - Geronimo Power is proposing more than $140 million in local tax revenue, charitable contributions and payments to residents and landowners over the lifetime of its Harmony Energy Park data center, while the company challenges a potential 24-month development moratorium in Harmony Township.
At an October 13 presentation at Grand Farm, company officials detailed the proposed financial benefits alongside plans to address property values, construction traffic, water consumption and noise. The project remains early in the permitting process, according to Geronimo Power President Blake Nixon.
"We believe that we can create something that’s a win-win for this community alongside the power projects that we started developing here a decade ago", Nixon said.
The company’s projected benefits include more than $100 million in property taxes over the facility’s life, $20 million in charitable contributions and $20 million in direct payments to township residents and landowners.
Nathan Franzen, a Geronimo Power executive overseeing development, estimated annual property taxes at between $3 million and $4 million. More than $2 million annually would go to local school districts before adjustments under state aid formulas, he said.
"And even after you do the math with the state aid formulas, because I know we get a lot of questions about that too, it’s still about $800,000 of increased revenue directly to the bottom line of the school districts", Franzen said. "That’s a lot of money for a school district."
The charitable program would provide $10 million when construction starts and another $10 million over 20 years, distributed at $500,000 annually. A community advisory board would help guide spending, which Franzen said could support housing, childcare, workforce development and recreational facilities.
Geronimo Power also outlined a proposed property value protection program, with a guarantee based on 150% of a property’s 2026 assessed value.
"We have heard it and we’ve taken it to heart", Franzen said.
The company is seeking community feedback before finalizing that program and its proposed payments to residents and landowners.
The proposed development would sit northwest of Mapleton near the existing Bison substation. Plans call for two large data center buildings, administrative and warehouse space, and supporting facilities on a 640-acre section.
Franzen said approximately 75% of the site would remain open space or vegetative cover.
"And that’s in large part due to the extensive and comprehensive ordinance that the township has put together that requires a 500 foot setback off of all property lines as well as a one mile setback from any occupied residents in the vicinity", Franzen said.
Ryan Butterfield, Geronimo Power’s vice president of strategy, said existing electrical infrastructure and the proposed Bakken East natural gas pipeline make the site attractive. The company is also developing solar and battery storage projects nearby.
Otter Tail Power would supply electricity. Butterfield said the utility’s large-load rate tariff was under review by the North Dakota Public Service Commission and is intended to ensure the data center covers its electricity-related costs without shifting them to other customers.
Company officials said a closed-loop cooling system would limit water consumption. Butterfield said most water use would come from employee facilities, such as toilets and faucets, rather than cooling operations.
The facility would also have to meet a 45-decibel noise limit at nearby residences and community buildings, Franzen said. Township requirements include ongoing monitoring and compliance testing.
"And there are consequences if we don’t meet it", Franzen said. "They can fine us, they can stop the permits and things like that."
Geronimo Power projected approximately 1,500 construction jobs over a two- to four-year building period. Butterfield said the completed facility could support approximately 150 permanent positions, including electricians, information technology professionals, network specialists and other technical workers.
The company expressed interest in working with local schools on workforce development and apprenticeships.
Plans identify 32nd Street Southeast, connecting to County Road 11, as the primary access route. Franzen said Harmony Township and Cass County require road-use agreements covering construction traffic, designated routes and infrastructure improvements.
"So if there’s a turning lane that’s needed or a bridge that needs to be replaced, all that’s within those agreements and the project pays for all of those items prior to any final building permit being issued", Franzen said.
The company is also considering park-and-ride facilities to reduce construction traffic on township roads.
Nixon said Geronimo Power recently submitted its permit application after months of preparation and community discussions. He criticized what he described as an effort by new township leadership to impose a 24-month development moratorium.
"Unfortunately, there’s new township leadership in Harmony Township that doesn’t wanna hear this", Nixon said.
He argued that halting development before the application receives full consideration would send the wrong message about accepting investment.
"But a moratorium for 24 months just says we’re closed for business for everything", Nixon said. "And so a few people can stop a lot of people from benefiting. I think that’s unfair. We deserve an open process."
"Let us be heard. Let the community be heard", Nixon said. "Let’s not reject it before it’s even considered."
The presentation transcript contains no response from Harmony Township leadership to Nixon’s criticism and does not establish whether a moratorium has been formally adopted.
Company officials said Geronimo Power has participated in 13 public township meetings and five educational sessions concerning its developments. It has also opened an office in Casselton.
Nixon said community feedback could lead to changes in the proposal.
"You don’t have to like what we’re doing. You can even disagree. It’s a great part about our country", Nixon said. "But we have the right intent. We wanna do something great here. And we wanna do it with you."
Before the project presentation, a TechND-organized panel discussed energy infrastructure, economic development, workforce opportunities and the experiences of communities hosting large industrial projects.
Ellendale Mayor Don Flaherty described both the opportunities and challenges his community has encountered during data center construction.
He said Ellendale’s taxable valuation was approximately $3.5 million in 2025 and could rise substantially as development continues. He estimated the community could eventually gain approximately 300 to 350 permanent jobs and see population growth of 400 to 600 residents over the next five years.
Construction has also brought traffic, temporary workers and housing challenges. Flaherty estimated approximately 2,800 workers were on-site at the peak of activity this past summer.
"Create those guardrails that are needed for your communities to be able to help guide industries that want to be able to expand and to grow into your areas so that everyone understands the ground rules", Flaherty said.
He also urged communities to consider the potential long-term benefits.
"The other part though of that is, is dream big", Flaherty said. "You know, these are opportunities to change lives in ways that we will never see again in our lifetime."
Read the source
