Community Open House On Data Centers Set For September 14
District 2 communities are being confronted with the possibility of hosting a data center, and residents have an important opportunity to drop in and ask questions, learn more, and help shape the future of our area.
An upcoming public Open House on September 14th, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Tioga Community Center in Tioga, ND, will provide a chance to chat with local officials, state leaders, experts, and fellow citizens.
The purpose of the Open House is not to promote one viewpoint over another. Rather, it is an opportunity for residents to gather facts, evaluate competing claims, and make informed decisions. Whether you support the project, oppose it, or remain undecided, your participation matters.
Projects of this size and scope deserve careful scrutiny. Residents seeking clear answers about water consumption, electricity demand, noise levels, environmental impacts, traffic during construction, and the long-term effects on community character is open for discussion. Questions about tax incentives, property values, emergency preparedness, future expansion plans, and the overall impact on local resources also warrant thoughtful discussion.
A unique feature of the Open House will be the participation of key state officials who have experience evaluating data center developments across the state. Officials will share their perspectives on the potential advantages, challenges, and unintended consequences that communities have experienced with similar projects. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to discuss firsthand accounts of what has worked well, and what has not, in communities that have already hosted data center developments. Their insights will help residents better understand both the opportunities and the risks associated with large-scale data center projects.
The following agencies and organizations will be present during the Open House.
• County Commissioners (Mountrail, Williams, Burke, Divide and Ward)
• Economic Development Director (McKenzie County)
• Mayor of Ellendale (City hosting a large-scale Data Center)
• ND Department of Environmental Quality
• ND Department of Economic Development & Finance
• ND Director of Water Resources
• ND Executive Director/Transmission Authority
• Mountrail Williams and MDU Electric Cooperatives
Major developments can affect a community for generations. Every resident should have the opportunity to better understand the potential benefits, the possible drawbacks, and seek feedback on concerns they may have.
An informed community is the best foundation for making decisions that will shape our future.
Submitted by Mark Enget
Senator - District 2