A former crypto-mining company is building a massive 430 MW data center in a secret location for an undisclosed client. Applied Digital, once a crypto miner, has announced groundbreaking on a substantial data center in the southern US, but the exact site remains hidden. This decision comes after negative reactions to previous projects, including opposition in Harwood, North Dakota, and attention-grabbing reactions in Ellendale, Colorado. Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins explains that the company is not trying to hide anything but rather giving the town time to prepare for the influx of national media attention. He emphasizes that the community will have a chance to voice their opinions soon, ensuring transparency. The project, named Delta Forge 1, will initially house two 150 MW buildings on over 500 acres. Upon completion, it's expected to employ over 200 full-time workers and long-term contractors. Applied Digital aims to launch the facility in mid-2027. Cummins hinted at this deal during the company's earnings call, mentioning discussions with an 'investment-grade hyperscaler' for multiple southern US sites. The company has a history of pivoting; it was once Applied Blockchain, mining Ethereum, and now focuses on AI infrastructure. Applied Digital has leased capacity at Polaris Forge 1 to Coreweave, another crypto-turned-AI infrastructure provider. They've also secured a $5 billion, 15-year lease for Polaris Forge 2 in Harwood, North Dakota, despite facing community opposition in the past. The client for Delta Forge 1 remains a mystery, with tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Meta, and Google as potential candidates. The company's pipeline includes a 430 MW project, matching the size of Delta Forge 1, adding to their expanding network of campuses and customers.
