Data centers are a flashpoint for many across North Dakota and throughout the country. Concerns about data centers are varied and often passionately held, and discussions often generate more heat than light. In recent weeks, LCD Group has been helping decision-makers and residents understand the tools the organization can provide to manage resulting community changes.
A planned data center in Oliver County has sparked strong debate, prompting local and regional leaders to hold a forum in mid-August to discuss the avenues the city of Center and the county can pursue to address the project’s effects. LCD Group’s Brent Ekstrom and Derrick Becker presented to attendees.
“It’s not our job to take positions on whether a community should build a data center. That’s a local decision. It is, however, our job to help every community and county mitigate the impacts of a data center, and we are perfectly positioned to do that through the range of the programs we offer,” says Brent Ekstrom, LCD Group executive director.
Balancing Opportunity and Growth Pressures
While data centers create jobs and new tax revenue, they also place significant demand on local energy grids and further stress communities struggling with an inadequate housing supply.
In their presentation, Ekstrom and Becker highlighted several targeted programs that can benefit communities:
Small Business Expansion: The SBA 504 loan program and regional business lending programs for small businesses seeking capital to meet demand.
Single-Family Housing: The DREAM Fund supports single-family home rehabilitation to improve existing local housing stock.
Multi-Family Development: The DREAM II Fund assists developers building multi-family housing options to accommodate workforce growth.
Grants and Resource Development: LCD Group provides experts who can help communities identify and pursue grants to address a myriad of improvements such as childcare, health care, and community development.
“Our message to every local decision-maker is that Lewis and Clark Development Group can provide a few very important arrows in the quiver for communities needing capital for small businesses seeking to take advantage of new opportunities, as well as for developers and local decision-makers needing to expand housing options,” says Ekstrom.
To learn more, visit lcdgroup.org or call (701) 667-7600.
