Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 17, 2025
Applied Digital Launches $3B AI Data Center with $5B Financing
TLDR
- Applied Digital's $3B Polaris Forge 2 data center positions the company as a U.S. AI infrastructure leader with hyperscale leases and $5B in financing for competitive advantage.
- The 280 MW facility uses waterless cooling systems and renewable energy integration to optimize GPU performance for next-generation AI workloads through sustainable engineering.
- Applied Digital's expansion creates over 200 permanent jobs while building environmentally responsible AI infrastructure that advances sustainable technology development for future generations.
- Applied Digital is constructing a massive $3 billion AI data center in North Dakota featuring innovative waterless cooling technology for next-generation computing.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development represents a critical advancement in national AI infrastructure capacity at a time when artificial intelligence workloads are experiencing exponential growth. The massive investment in specialized, sustainable data centers addresses the urgent need for computing power required by next-generation AI models and applications. For businesses and consumers, this expansion means faster development of AI-powered products and services across industries from healthcare to transportation. The waterless cooling technology and renewable energy integration set new standards for environmentally responsible computing infrastructure, while the job creation in North Dakota demonstrates how AI infrastructure development can drive regional economic growth. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life and business operations, investments like Applied Digital's ensure the United States maintains competitive advantage in the global AI race while building sustainable technological infrastructure for future generations.
Summary
Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD) has launched an aggressive expansion strategy that positions the company as a major player in U.S. AI infrastructure development. The Dallas-based data center specialist has broken ground on Polaris Forge 2, a massive $3 billion, 280-megawatt data center campus in Harwood, North Dakota, marking the company's second large-scale "AI factory" in the state. According to head of news reporting at AiNews.com, Alicia Shapiro, the facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2026 and will feature innovative waterless cooling systems, renewable-energy integration, and is expected to create more than 200 permanent jobs. The project represents a significant commitment to building sustainable, GPU-optimized data centers specifically designed for next-generation AI workloads.
The company's expansion is backed by substantial financial support, including a $5 billion equity facility with Macquarie Asset Management that will finance Applied Digital's high-performance computing infrastructure growth and strengthen liquidity across upcoming buildouts. This strategic financing, combined with a separate $160 million funding arrangement and the $3 billion campus launch, demonstrates the significant capital investment flowing into AI infrastructure development. The Polaris Forge 2 facility will be anchored by hyperscale leases, ensuring substantial demand for its advanced computing capabilities from major technology companies requiring specialized infrastructure for artificial intelligence applications.
Applied Digital Corporation, which was named Best Data Center in the Americas 2025 by Datacloud, specializes in designing, building, and operating high-performance, sustainably engineered data centers for artificial intelligence, cloud, networking, and blockchain workloads. Founded in 2021, the company leverages hyperscale expertise, proprietary waterless cooling technology, and rapid deployment capabilities to deliver secure, scalable compute solutions. The company's Polaris Forge AI Factory model not only addresses the growing demand for AI infrastructure but also creates economic opportunities in underserved communities, positioning Applied Digital as a key contributor to the national AI infrastructure buildout through InvestorWire's comprehensive communications platform.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN). Read the original source here, Applied Digital Launches $3B AI Data Center with $5B Financing
