Harwood, North Dakota, voters rejected by about 75% a proposed amendment to the town’s Home Rule Charter that would have required additional reviews and public hearings for large industrial projects, including data centers. The decision supports the ongoing development of an Applied Digital data center on a 160-acre site, with Oracle as the planned end user. Harwood was the only community among more than 40 nationwide ballot measures to oppose restrictions on data centers; Redbud Consulting previously tracked 45 related measures. The campaign followed the project’s groundbreaking and reflected a local debate over economic and tax benefits, administrative costs, transparency, noise, energy use and community oversight. Supporters led by software developer Michael Swartz sought independent reviews and tighter municipal oversight, while opponents, including town officials and the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, warned that restrictions could lead to lost tax benefits, added costs and possible de-annexation. Market pricing suggests the result has reduced the perceived likelihood of a statewide data center moratorium in Oklahoma by December 2027. Market participants will watch Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and the state legislature for actions that could shape expectations about broader restrictions.