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.

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.

When a rural hospital struggles, the effects can reach beyond its balance sheet. And that could leave residents with fewer options for care close to home.

On this episode of The Backstory, Sabrina Halvorson talks with Alfred Sams, president and CEO of North Dakota’s Rough Rider High Value Network, about how rural hospitals are pooling resources while maintaining local control.

“They have the ability to have economies of scale. And yet, maintain that fierce independence at the same time.” — Alfred Sams, president and CEO, Rough Rider High Value Network

Sams explains how shared care coordinators help patients get follow-up appointments, screenings and other care.

He also discusses the results of a pilot program in Rolla and explains how hospitals can benefit financially by helping patients stay healthier.

In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC’s Sabrina Halvorson talks with Dr. Xiaofan Liang, assistant professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Michigan, about the questions communities face when a data center wants to move in. How much electricity and water will it need? Who pays for infrastructure upgrades? What say do residents have, and what is it like to live next door?

Dr. Liang explains that understanding a proposal begins with knowing what the facility will do. Data centers support everything from banking and internet connections to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency mining. Their purpose and scale help determine the resources they need and how they fit into a community.

“Tell us what is this facility about? Like, what is it supposed to be used for? You know, who’s behind it?” - Dr. Xiaofan Liang, assistant professor of urban and regional planning, University of Michigan

One of the biggest questions is whether a large new electricity customer will affect everyone else’s bill. Dr. Liang discusses how developers and utilities approach infrastructure upgrades and why the outcome depends on how costs are shared, rates are structured and regulators handle the new demand. She discusses the potential to improve existing infrastructure and whether those costs are paid by residential customers.

Water use raises more questions, particularly in places like North Dakota that can be prone to drought. Dr. Liang encourages communities to ask developers for estimates of their water needs and to consider the effects beyond the project site, such as on neighboring communities that share the same water system.

Local zoning also shapes how much influence residents have over a proposal. Dr. Liang explains how a project can qualify for approval under existing rules, even when neighbors expect an opportunity to debate whether it belongs there. The discussion explores the choices local officials face in defining data centers and setting conditions for their development.

Read more on the topic here.