Fargo Schools Await Data on Applied Digital Revenue

Fargo Public Schools says it has not received specific revenue estimates from a Harwood mayor's Applied Digital claim.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Administration

Isometric editorial illustration of a single data center building on a flat prairie, in slate blue, cream, and mustard tones. — Fargo Public Schools said it has not received specific revenue estimates from Harwood Mayor Blake Hankey's claim that Applied Digital could bring $4.36 million annually beginning in 2028. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Fargo Public Schools said it had not received specific revenue estimates from Applied Digital's development in the northern part of its district. Harwood Mayor Blake Hankey said the district could receive about $4.36 million annually beginning in 2028.

Why it matters

The estimate, if accurate, could give the district added flexibility in setting future property tax levies. State property tax limitations also affect how much the additional revenue would matter.

Harwood Mayor Blake Hankey estimated approximately $4.36 million in annual revenue for the district starting in 2028, a figure the district has not confirmed. Fargo Public Schools has not held discussions with Cass County or Applied Digital about anticipated revenue amounts.

The players

Blake Hankey

Mayor of Harwood, North Dakota, who publicly estimated the district's potential annual revenue from the development.

Dr. Cory Steiner

Superintendent of Fargo Public Schools, whose office provided the district's response on the revenue question.

Applied Digital

Company developing property in the northern portion of the Fargo Public Schools district.

The details

Hankey made the statement during an appearance on WDAY Radio's The Jay Thomas Show. Superintendent Dr. Cory Steiner responded through the district's Communications and Community Relations office, and questions have been submitted about whether the figure was disclosed to residents before last week's election.

Before last week's election: questions arose about whether the revenue estimate was disclosed to residents.
2028: potential start of approximately $4.36 million in annual school revenue.

Season Trajectory

Large private developments can shift a district's tax base, but North Dakota's property tax limits constrain how much of that new value turns into school funding. Whether the Applied Digital project changes Fargo's budget picture will depend on those limits and on confirmed figures.

Fargo families may see changes in future school property tax levies only if the projected $4.36 million annual revenue materializes starting in 2028. Until the district confirms figures, residents have no official basis for estimating how the development will affect their tax bills.

The takeaway

Property tax projections from outside officials should be checked against district budget documents before being treated as settled. Residents can ask their school board for written revenue estimates and the timeline behind them.