Applied Digital

Applied Digital, a Texas-based company, plans to build a $3.6 billion AI factory data center near Alexandria, Louisiana. The facility is expected to create approximately 200 jobs upon completion. The project represents a major investment in AI infrastructure in the Alexandria area. GCs, subcontractors, and vendors should monitor this large-scale development for potential procurement and construction opportunities.

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) is set to announce a major project as central Louisiana prepares for a large data center development linked to Applied Digital. The project is located in central Louisiana. LED has classified the announcement as a major project, indicating significant economic impact for the region. Specific capacity and investment details have not yet been disclosed. GCs, subcontractors, and vendors should monitor upcoming LED announcements for procurement and construction opportunities.

Applied Digital is actively hiring for a data center facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, with job postings indicating approximately 200 full-time positions at minimum salaries around $90,000. The project appears to be progressing toward operational status, as the company is now recruiting staff. Applied Digital, which has been pivoting from crypto mining to AI/HPC data center hosting, is establishing this facility in a non-traditional data center market in central Louisiana. This represents a significant economic development opportunity for the Alexandria area and signals that the project is moving from construction toward commissioning. For BD professionals, this is a time-sensitive opportunity to engage with Applied Digital on infrastructure, services, and supply needs as they ramp up operations at this site.

Applied Digital has invested approximately $5 billion total in its Ellendale, ND data center campus, not including customer equipment. The campus began with a $180M, 180MW blockchain center in 2022 and added its first AI data center, which opened last fall. An expansion should open later this year with a second expansion next year. Currently 1,900 construction workers are on site in Ellendale. The fully staffed complex will employ about 350 people. Trades on site include electricians, pipefitters, carpenters, plumbers, and drywallers, presenting significant subcontractor opportunities.

Applied Digital completed the spinout of its cloud services business into a new Nasdaq-listed entity called ChronoScale Corporation, trading under ticker CHRN as of May 5. The transaction involved merging the cloud unit into EKSO Bionics Holdings, with Applied Digital contributing its cloud business in exchange for approximately 138 million shares. Applied Digital invested an additional $15.75 million in cash and retains roughly 97% ownership of ChronoScale. The separation splits Applied Digital into long-duration data center hosting and shorter-cycle GPU cloud computing businesses. ChronoScale will focus on GPU-based infrastructure for AI workloads.

Applied Digital broke ground on Delta Forge 1, a 430 MW AI Factory campus spanning over 500 acres in a strategic southern U.S. market. The facility is designed to deliver up to 300 MW of critical IT load for high-density AI workloads, with initial operations expected in mid-2027. The company reported Q3 FY2026 revenue of $126.6 million, up 139% year-over-year. Applied Digital also secured a $100 million DevCo Facility with Macquarie Equipment Capital for development costs. Construction continues on North Dakota campuses including Polaris Forge 1 and Polaris Forge 2. GCs, MEP trades, and liquid cooling vendors should monitor procurement timelines for the new southern U.S. campus.