Blake Nixon, president and chief executive officer of Geronimo Power, speaking at the Community Data Center Forum at the Grand Farm Innovation Campus near Wheatland, ND. Photo: Daron Selvig, KFGO News.
WHEATLAND, N.D. (KFGO) – Facing the prospect of a two-year development freeze, the developer behind a proposed 540-megawatt data center west of Fargo took its pitch directly to Cass County residents Tuesday night, launching a petition drive and pledging more than $140 million in local financial incentives to head off a township moratorium.
Speaking to attendees at the Grand Farm Innovation Campus, Geronimo Power Chief Executive Officer Blake Nixon criticized the Harmony Township Board of Supervisors for moving to consider a 24-month moratorium on data centers and utility-scale projects, accusing township officials of attempting to halt the project before formal hearings begin.
“I find it ironic when we get asked about being open and transparent, and then the people that are entrusted to ensure openness and transparency want to shut down a process before it even starts,” Nixon said. “Sending a message like no development of anything … for 24 months says ‘this community is closed for business.’ And I just don’t believe that represents this community”.
Nixon asked attendees to sign a petition urging supervisors to reject the moratorium and evaluate Geronimo’s permit application on its merits.
The developer’s public push comes as township leaders prepare to vote on the proposed 24-month moratorium at their next regular meeting on Oct. 20.
To build community support, company executives presented a financial benefits package totaling more than $140 million over the operational life of the facility:
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Tax Revenue: An estimated $100 million in local property taxes over the project’s life, with an average gross projection of $2.24 million annually for local school districts. Company officials noted that after state foundation aid formula equalization reductions, the net increase to local schools would be approximately $800,000 per year.
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Direct Resident Payments: $20 million in annual installments distributed to eligible township residents and property owners living near the project site.
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Community Initiatives Fund: $20 million dedicated to local civic needs, including $10 million in upfront funding upon groundbreaking for housing, childcare, or workforce projects, alongside $500,000 annual contributions over 20 years.
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Property Value Guarantee: A commitment to guarantee neighboring home values at 150 percent of each property’s 2026 county tax-assessed value.
Attendees at the Community Data Center Forum at Grand Farm Innovation Campus near Wheatland. Photo: Daron Selvig, KFGO News.
Nathan Franzen, Executive Vice President of Development for Geronimo Power, outlined the layout for the 640-acre parcel in Section 15 near the Bison Substation, noting that more than 75 percent of the project area will remain open vegetated green space. Franzen said the site would use a closed-loop cooling system requiring an average of 15,000 gallons of water per day—with an allowable cap of 50,000 gallons daily—relying on trucked-in water rather than drawing from municipal groundwater.
Franzen also addressed sound concerns, stating the facility would meet the township’s 45-decibel exterior limit, which company presentation slides compared to the hum of a household refrigerator.
However, public records obtained by KFGO News show the township’s zoning standards were eased just months before Geronimo submitted its conditional use permit application on Sept. 15.
On July 21, the Harmony Township Board voted to raise the allowable noise ceiling from 30 decibels to 45 decibels, eliminated a one-mile setback requirement that previously protected agricultural accessory buildings like barns and machine shops, and dropped a mandate requiring applicants to submit a signed power purchase agreement prior to permit approval.
Presentation slides displayed Tuesday showed Geronimo representatives have attended or presented at 13 township meetings dating back to May 2025.
The proposed development has drawn scrutiny following recent township board discussions regarding whether former Chairman Tom Roden disclosed a land option agreement with Geronimo before voting in favor of the July zoning changes. In response to an open records request from KFGO News, township officials confirmed there are no written conflict-of-interest filings on record regarding the project.
The Harmony Township Board of Supervisors will take up the proposed two-year moratorium at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The North Dakota Public Service Commission has scheduled a separate public hearing regarding Geronimo’s associated battery storage project for 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, in Casselton.
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