Workforce, Housing, and Growth: How Applied Digital Is Revitalizing a Rural Town Through AI Infrastructure

As AI infrastructure spreads beyond tech hubs and into America’s heartland, companies face a new imperative: not just to build facilities—but to build trust, local partnerships, and long-term value for the communities that host them. In Ellendale, North Dakota, Applied Digital’s Polaris Forge 1 campus has become a case study in what rural revitalization through technology investment can look like.

But what does it take to truly “build with a town”—to become part of a community, rather than simply operate within it?

In the third episode of Architects of Acceleration, host Philbert Shih, Founder of Structure Research, sits down with Nick Phillips, EVP of External Affairs at Applied Digital, and Jim Grueneich, North Dakota State Representative. The discussion dives into the human side of building a next-generation AI facility—how Applied Digital embedded itself in the Ellendale community, supported workforce development, addressed infrastructure gaps, and created a two-way street of economic opportunity and civic pride.

The key topics of discussion…

• Economic Ripple Effects: Ellendale has seen a surge in local business activity, property values, and sales tax revenue—property tax base alone jumped from $75M to over $129M after Applied Digital’s arrival.
• Community Integration: From revitalizing the town bowling alley to launching family movie nights, Applied Digital prioritized quality of life and local involvement.
• Workforce & Housing Strategy: Facing labor and housing shortages, Applied Digital worked with local leaders to attract workers, support new housing developments, and tackle childcare infrastructure gaps.

Nick Phillips is a seasoned executive specializing in government affairs, public policy, and real estate acquisition within the data center and digital infrastructure industry. As EVP of External Affairs at Applied Digital, he leads efforts in market expansion, legislative advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, helping the company grow its national footprint while forging strong public-private partnerships. With two decades of experience, including early leadership roles at Core Scientific and LV.Net, Nick brings a strategic blend of technical acumen, regulatory insight, and operational expertise to the fast-evolving world of digital infrastructure.

Jim Grueneich is a North Dakota State Representative with deep roots in the Ellendale region and a long-standing commitment to public service. Grueneich played a pivotal role in facilitating early discussions and ongoing collaboration between Applied Digital and local government leaders, helping to align the company’s goals with community needs. His leadership was instrumental in ensuring that the development of Polaris Forge in Ellendale was not only a technological milestone, but also a model for how public-private partnerships can deliver long-term value to small towns.

Article written by MarketScale.