AGP Executive Report

Defense Technology: North Dakota-based Ideal Aerosmith has unveiled Troublemaker, a portable drone built for long-range surveillance and strike missions. It can fly more than 750 nautical miles and stay aloft for over 10 hours; the company says it could ramp production to 20 a week. Workforce and STEM: A manufacturing day brought 240 seventh-graders to tour seven Pembina and Walsh County plants, introducing students to local trade and manufacturing careers. Cybersecurity and AI: Minot State’s NODAKON summit on Oct. 15 will feature public sessions on AI and cybersecurity, including a panel on how organizations are adapting. Health Technology: Jamestown Regional Medical Center is using the SOZO platform to track fluid changes that can signal lymphedema risk early for cancer patients. AgTech: Grand Farm broke ground on a new campus phase near Casselton and secured a $5 million federal grant for an indoor, year-round AgTech test track. Drone Defense: Grand Forks Air Force Base is among five U.S. military sites selected to test laser and microwave weapons designed to counter drones.

Defense Technology: North Dakota-based Ideal Aerosmith has begun low-rate production of its Troublemaker one-way attack drone, with a Navy sponsor and capacity to scale production if demand grows. Grand Forks Air Force Base is also among five sites selected to test laser and microwave weapons against drones. Agricultural Innovation: Grand Farm broke ground on its Innovation Campus expansion near Casselton and secured a $5 million federal grant for a year-round AgTech test track. AI and Data Centers: UND leaders highlighted efforts to connect artificial intelligence with the humanities, while Applied Digital reported strong quarterly growth and described plans for more AI data center capacity in North Dakota. Financial Technology: The state-owned Bank of North Dakota is testing its Roughrider Coin stablecoin with local partners.

AgTech: Grand Farm broke ground on the next phase of its Casselton campus and won a $5 million federal grant for an indoor test track, expanding year-round testing of farm technology. AI and Data Centers: Applied Digital is targeting 4 gigawatts of AI data-center capacity by 2030 and says a separate 1-gigawatt hyperscale project is planned in North Dakota. Higher Education: UND leaders put people and critical thinking at the center of campus AI discussions at a community event drawing more than 450 attendees. State Innovation: Applications are open through Nov. 9 for North Dakota’s LIFT loan program, which helps local companies bring new technologies to market. The Bank of North Dakota is also testing its own stablecoin, Roughrider Coin. Driver Safety: Federal officials are reviewing vehicle-lighting standards, including LED glare and automatic high beams—a potential change for North Dakotans who drive dark rural highways.

Research Funding: North Dakota entities received more than $1.2 million in federal HHS grants, including $44,719 for NDSU veterinary food and drug research and $215,343 for UND’s Native American aging resource center. Defense Manufacturing: Fargo’s new 80,000-square-foot Badland Batteries plant will make cells for unmanned aircraft and other defense and commercial uses. Packet Digital has secured $52.6 million in Navy funding over six years for battery work. AgTech: Research at a Burleigh County ranch found managed cattle rotations nearly doubled grassland carbon uptake compared with ungrazed pasture. Grand Farm is also expanding its innovation campus with a $5 million grant and a planned year-round indoor test track. Tech Commercialization: North Dakota’s LIFT loan program opened applications Oct. 5, offering local companies financing to bring intellectual property to market; applications are due Nov. 9. Digital Infrastructure: Applied Digital has brought 75 megawatts of AI infrastructure online at Ellendale, while the Bank of North Dakota is testing its Roughrider Coin stablecoin with local partners.

Campus Planning: UND’s draft 10-year master plan would add an innovation hub, improve housing and strengthen support for research. The university gathered input from students, staff and alumni before setting priorities. Tech Funding: North Dakota’s LIFT program is accepting applications through Nov. 9, offering loans to help companies commercialize technology in fields including agtech, energy, health care and advanced computing. It has recommended $47.5 million across 76 awards. Land Research: A two-year study on a Burleigh County ranch found carefully managed cattle grazing nearly doubled grassland carbon absorption compared with nearby ungrazed pastures, while improving water-use efficiency. AgTech Growth: Grand Farm is expanding its innovation campus with a $5 million grant for an indoor test track, creating a year-round venue to test agricultural technology. Digital Finance and Energy: The Bank of North Dakota is piloting its Roughrider Coin stablecoin with local partners. Separately, Gevo reported selling 10,000 carbon-removal credits generated through carbon capture and underground storage at its North Dakota ethanol facility.

Digital Banking: North Dakota’s Roughrider Coin is live in a pilot with four banks and credit unions, testing near-real-time, dollar-backed digital payments. Data Center Debate: As North Dakota weighs the economic promise of data centers against impacts on land and resources, a shortage of skilled trades workers could also slow construction. Rural AgTech: NDSU Extension is inviting rural communities to apply for a yearlong program offering coaching and $10,000 to launch local agriculture or workforce technology projects. Farm Innovation: Grand Farm has broken ground on the next phase of its Innovation Campus, backed by $5 million for a year-round indoor AgTech test track. Health Technology: Jamestown Regional Medical Center added a digital monitoring system to help spot early signs of lymphedema in cancer patients.

Space Weather: NOAA expects a moderate geomagnetic storm as a CME reaches Earth, creating a chance to see the northern lights across North Dakota overnight Oct. 8–9. AI Infrastructure: Applied Digital reported $341.9 million in fiscal first-quarter revenue, up 322% from a year earlier, alongside a $221 million net loss. The company has also brought 75 megawatts online in Ellendale and secured access to potential power capacity in Finland. Data Center Impacts: North Dakota water officials told lawmakers that local utilities have so far been able to serve data centers, while residents raised concerns about water use and development. Nationwide, nearly 500 communities have paused or banned data center projects. AgTech Research: NDSU soybean breeder Carrie Dottey is working to develop varieties suited to North Dakota’s short, dry summers, aiming to lift yields that have lagged neighboring states. Innovation Campus: Grand Farm is moving ahead with its second phase, including a year-round indoor AgTech test track backed by $5 million in federal funding. Digital Finance: The Bank of North Dakota launched a stablecoin pilot with local partners, using the Solana blockchain.

Crop Science: NDSU soybean breeder Carrie Dottey is developing varieties suited to North Dakota’s short, dry summers, aiming to close a yield gap as soy acreage surges. Data Center Debate: State lawmakers heard concerns about data centers’ water demands; officials said existing projects have obtained water through local utilities so far. Digital Finance: The Bank of North Dakota and four local financial institutions launched a controlled pilot of Roughrider Coin for bank-to-bank transactions. AgTech: Grand Farm broke ground on its Innovation Campus expansion, backed by a $5 million federal grant for year-round testing of farm technology. AI Infrastructure: Applied Digital brought another 75 megawatts of AI capacity online in Ellendale. AI Policy: North Dakota’s U.S. House candidates agree AI needs guardrails but differ on how early to regulate and how to hold companies accountable.

Health & Costs: New University of Michigan research links post-Dobbs abortion bans to higher employer-insurance premium burdens for women, with larger impacts reported for Black and Hispanic women. Voting Access: North Dakota DOT will hold free Non-Driver Photo ID events at four tribal nations (Oct. 19–22) so eligible residents can meet voting requirements. Banking Tech: Bank of North Dakota launched a pilot for Roughrider Coin, a dollar-backed stablecoin, with four local banks/credit unions and Fiserv to test near real-time interbank settlement. AI Infrastructure: Applied Digital secured access to up to 1 gigawatt of potential power capacity in Finland for its AI Factory plans, while continuing its North Dakota buildout. AgTech Innovation: Grand Farm broke ground on Phase II of its Innovation Campus and announced a $5M federal grant for a year-round Indoor AgTech Test Track. Defense Tech: The Pentagon named four directed-energy systems for a counter-drone homeland pilot, including sites tied to North Dakota’s Grand Forks Air Force Base. STEM for Kids: Grand Forks’ Full STEAM Ahead pop-up children’s museum event runs through Oct. 9 at the Curling Club.

Directed-Energy Defense: The Pentagon picked four laser- and microwave-based counter-drone systems for an operational pilot at U.S. bases, including Grand Forks Air Force Base, to test performance and sustainment against unmanned aircraft. AgTech Funding: NSF AgTech Engine launched a new seed fund for later-stage ag startups, while Grand Farm in North Dakota won a $5M federal grant to build an indoor AgTech test track for year-round validation of autonomous and robotics equipment. AI Data Centers in ND: Applied Digital secured up to 1 GW of potential power in Finland for its first international AI “Factory” opportunity, and separately commissioned another 75 MW at its Polaris Forge 1 campus, pushing operational load higher. Stablecoin Pilot: Bank of North Dakota launched a Roughrider Coin pilot with local banks and credit unions, using tokenized dollar rails to test near real-time interbank settlement. STEM for Kids: Grand Forks’ Full STEAM Ahead pop-up children’s museum event continues through Oct. 9, with hands-on science and tech activities ahead of a permanent museum opening next year. Teacher Retention Plan: North Dakota lawmakers proposed annual teacher bonuses funded by Common Schools Trust Fund earnings to improve recruitment and retention. EV Charging Equity: A new study argues EV access—not range—drives charging inequality, factoring in flood risk, pollution, income, and transportation burden.

Stablecoin Payments in the Spotlight: Bank of North Dakota launched Roughrider Coin, a U.S.-dollar-backed token, with four local banks and credit unions plus Fiserv to test near real-time interbank settlement in a controlled pilot. Cross-Border Money Movement: Latitude Global, led by former Stripe and Zerohash alumni, is pushing stablecoin rails for faster international payments, aiming to expand from about 50 countries toward 200. AI Data Center Buildout: Applied Digital commissioned another 75MW at Polaris Forge 1 in Ellendale, bringing live critical IT capacity to 250MW toward a 400MW contracted build. Counter-Drone Testing Gets Funding: Project ULTRA at GrandSky in Grand Forks won $5.5 million for a counter-UAS testbed and expanded unmanned logistics flights. Drone Safety Research: The FAA awarded $12 million for 19 drone research and testing projects aimed at safe integration into the national airspace system. Cyber & Tech Workforce: North Dakota’s teacher recruitment push includes proposed annual bonuses (STAYS stipend) tied to Common Schools Trust Fund earnings. Local Tech Adoption: NoviSign’s cloud digital signage rolled out across a John Deere dealer network, replacing manual screen management with centralized scheduling.

HHS Funding for ND Universities: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is sending more than $1.3M to three North Dakota schools—Mayville State ($437,665) for Head Start projects, NDSU ($58,000) for FDA research, and UND ($835,000) for a Rural Assistance Center. AI Infrastructure Push: Dakota Carrier Network CEO Seth Arndorfer says North Dakota’s fiber buildout and power advantages are making it a top target for high-density AI data centers, a theme echoed at the Midwest Tech Summit. Data Center Milestone: Applied Digital brought another 75 MW online at Polaris Forge 1 in Ellendale, completing 250 MW of operational AI-ready capacity there. Local AI/Tech in Retail: NoviSign’s cloud digital signage is now running across a John Deere dealer network, letting teams manage multi-location screens from one dashboard. AI Policy Debate in Congress: North Dakota’s House candidates clash on AI guardrails—incumbent Julie Fedorchak backs a reporting-focused approach, while challenger Trygve Hammer wants stronger proactive accountability. Campus Tech & Security: UND says its $1.8M campus camera system uses Verkada (not Flock) and is limited to public spaces, with data shared only for investigations. Public Health & Safety: PepsiCo recalled 122,021 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade due to undeclared yellow dyes; no illnesses were reported.

AI at Work: A new study on “Generative AI at Work” finds customer-service agents using AI assistants resolved about 15% more issues per hour, but gains may not translate evenly into higher pay or better job outcomes. H-1B in ND: North Dakota employers in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector filed 34 H-1B petitions in 2025, with all approved (ND overall: 360 petitions, 97.8% approval). AI Infrastructure in Ellendale: Applied Digital says it brought an additional 75 MW of AI data-center load online at Polaris Forge 1, reaching 250 MW operational and 400 MW contracted at full buildout. Public Safety Tech: UND Police Chief Rodney Clark says the campus security system (about $1.8M) uses Verkada, not Flock, and is limited to public spaces with data shared only for investigations. STEM on Campus: UND held a beam-signing for its STEM Complex, with the first phase under construction. Education Tech: NDSU opened an Interactive Campus Arboretum with QR-linked plant ID and quizzes. Healthcare Access: North Dakota opened public comment on SNAP “Healthy Choice Waiver” changes that would restrict purchases of most candy, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages. Food Recall: PepsiCo recalled 122,021 cases of certain Gatorade flavors after FDA flagged undeclared Yellow No. 5/6 colorings across 37 states.

STEM Construction: UND students and supporters signed a beam for the next phase of the university’s STEM Complex in Grand Forks, with the project funded by donors and the North Dakota Legislature and aimed at expanding hands-on engineering learning. Engineering Expansion: NDSU dedicated the Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex, a nearly $100M facility adding teaching labs, research space, and visible “engineering on display” areas for students. Rural Tech in Classrooms: Western Dakota Corps of Discovery is rotating high-tech career equipment kits—like 3D printing, laser tools, and plant DNA labs—through western North Dakota schools to give rural students industry-style training. Campus Security Tech: UND Police Chief Rodney Clark defended the department’s $1.8M camera system, saying it’s not Flock and that data sharing is limited to investigations. Ag-Tech Entrepreneurship: A North Dakota farm kid turned ag-tech entrepreneur is turning real agricultural maps into personalized children’s play rugs and related products. Education & AI: North Dakota Superintendent’s Student Cabinet added two area students, and the upcoming Student Summit will focus on educational technology and AI. Healthcare Access: Essentia Health St. Joseph’s-Baxter Clinic welcomed family medicine specialist Dr. Kayla Fussy. Policy Watch: North Dakota opened public comment on SNAP changes that would restrict purchases like candy and soda under its Healthy Choice Waiver.

Education & Transparency: A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Education Department from publishing identifying names tied to foreign gifts and contracts reported by major universities, setting up a legal fight over how much disclosure is allowed. Public Safety Tech: UND police chief Rodney Clark said the university’s $1.8M campus camera system (using Verkada, not Flock) helped solve crimes, with data shared only for investigations. Rural Workforce & Health: CNN profiled a tiny Hettinger hospital relying on immigrant workers, including an ultrasound technician, to keep care staffed in a rural community. STEM in Schools: Western Dakota Corps of Discovery is rotating high-tech career equipment kits—3D printing, laser tools, and even plant DNA labs—through western ND classrooms to overcome the cost barrier for small districts. Campus Innovation: NDSU dedicated the nearly $100M Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex, adding labs and hands-on project space for engineering students. AI, Finance & ND: Fiserv switched on stablecoin rails in production, enabling Roughrider Coin settlement for North Dakota banks in about 400 milliseconds. Cybersecurity Awareness: North Dakota Information Technology encouraged residents to “Stay Cyber SMART” during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Prairie Ecology & Training: UND and NDSU students joined agency and conservation partners for a Woody Encroachment Workshop near Grand Forks, learning hands-on ways to curb invasive trees and brush that choke prairie habitat. Campus Tech & Learning: NDSU opened its Interactive Campus Arboretum, turning campus trees and shrubs into a QR-code guided experience with quizzes and identification help. Engineering & Workforce Pipeline: NDSU dedicated the nearly $100M Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex, adding teaching labs and research space designed to keep engineering “on display” for students and visitors. Public Safety Tech: UND Police Chief Rodney Clark told a university senate that the campus security system uses Verkada (not Flock), with some cameras including license plate reader tech in public areas. Smart Infrastructure in Schools: Western Dakota Corps of Discovery is rotating 11 high-tech equipment kits—3D printing, laser tools, and DNA extraction—among western ND rural schools to expand hands-on STEM access. Healthcare & Policy: North Dakota opened a public comment period on SNAP limits for candy and sweetened drinks under the Healthy Choice Waiver, now delayed to Nov. 1. Payments & Blockchain in ND: Fiserv’s digital-asset platform went live with Bank of North Dakota’s Roughrider Coin on Solana, enabling faster interbank transfers for participating institutions.