Curious About Data Centers? Don’t Miss This Local Educational Event

McKenzie County Economic Development will host an educational open house on natural gas utilization and data centers from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 25 at the McKenzie County Ag Expo in Watford City.

The free event is designed to give residents, landowners, business owners and local officials an opportunity to learn about the topics in an informal setting. Instead of formal presentations, attendees can move between information stations, speak directly with subject matter experts and ask questions at their own pace.

Organizers said the session comes in response to increasing discussion about data centers and natural gas utilization at both the state and national levels. The goal is to provide clear, factual information before any specific project or proposal is introduced in the area.

“Recognizing that discussions surrounding data centers and natural gas utilization were increasing at both the state and national level, we felt it was important to provide our community with factual information relevant to North Dakota and McKenzie County before any specific project is under consideration,” said Meghan Taunton, director of McKenzie County Economic Development. “We believe communities make better decisions when they have the opportunity to learn and ask questions before they’re asked to decide.”

Participating organizations at the event will include the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, North Dakota Department of Commerce, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, North Dakota Department of Water Resources, McKenzie Electric Cooperative, the North Dakota Small Business Development Center, the City of Ellendale and McKenzie County Planning and Zoning.

Organizers emphasized the session is not tied to any developer, proposed project or pending application. Instead, it is intended to provide general information and encourage informed community discussion about potential opportunities related to data centers and natural gas utilization.

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The event is open to the public, and no registration is required. Attendees may come and go throughout the evening.