AI Factory Campus Delta Forge 1 Launched

DALLAS, Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD), known for designing, building, and operating high-performance data centers, has commenced construction on Delta Forge 1, an AI Factory campus strategically located in a southern U.S. market. This facility is designed to support an initial 430 MW of total utility power, translating into the capacity for up to 300 MW of critical IT load. Notably, Delta Forge 1 is engineered to scale significantly by 2028, thereby translating available power into live, high-density AI capacity for hyperscale customers.

The Delta Forge 1 campus will be built with two 150-MW facilities spanning over 500 acres. Once operational, it is expected to create over 200 full-time jobs and provide long-term contracting opportunities, thus contributing to sustained economic growth in the region. As Wes Cummins, Chairman and CEO of Applied Digital, emphasized, this new undertaking represents a critical phase in the company’s growth strategy, focusing on the resilience of AI infrastructure through smart design, efficient power use, and robust cooling systems.

With the rising demand for artificial intelligence, the conversion of power into operational AI capacity is becoming a pivotal challenge. Applied Digital’s approach to building AI factories aims to ensure effective integration of power, cooling, and operations. This strategic focus should not only meet but potentially exceed the requirements set by hyperscale demand, offering customers operational reliability and long-term value.

Furthermore, Applied Digital is currently engaging with prospective investment-grade hyperscale customers, showcasing significant demand for such purpose-built AI infrastructure capable of handling high-density workloads efficiently.

Delta Forge 1 is anticipated to utilize Applied Digital’s refined AI Factory blueprint, previously tested at the Polaris Forge campuses in North Dakota. This methodical, repeatable platform is designed for scalability across various markets, thus maintaining high performance, reliability, and responsible development practices throughout the expansion.

The initial operations of Delta Forge 1 are projected to begin in mid-2027. In an era where AI’s growth trajectory demands innovative solutions, Applied Digital’s initiative appears timely and aligned with industry needs, positioning it as a key player in the evolving landscape of AI infrastructure.