What AI data centers could mean for North Dakota
What could AI data centers mean for North Dakota communities? On this episode of The Backstory, economist Bob Mayo discusses potential economic benefits and the questions residents can ask about proposed projects.
The prospect of AI data centers in North Dakota brings questions about jobs, energy use and how much say communities have in what gets built.
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On this episode of The Backstory, Sabrina Halvorson talks with Dr. Bob Mayo, an economist and researcher at North Dakota State University’s Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, about what attracts developers to the state and what residents could expect from these projects.
“I recommend that communities figure out what they want and what they don’t want and educate themselves about this topic before a data center company comes knocking.” — Dr. Bob Mayo
Mayo explains how North Dakota’s climate, available land and natural gas resources could influence development. He also discusses the differences between temporary construction jobs and ongoing employment once a facility opens.
For communities considering a proposal, Mayo outlines questions about noise, electricity rates, cooling systems and how openly developers communicate with residents.
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The North Dakota News Cooperative is a nonprofit news organization providing reliable and independent reporting on issues and events that impact the lives of North Dakotans. The organization increases the public’s access to quality journalism and advances news literacy across the state.
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