Microsoft scored a major win Monday evening in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. The village board unanimously approved the tech giant’s proposal for 15 new data centers.
The vote clears the way for a $13 billion development. It marks one of the largest projects in the region’s history.
Microsoft purchased the land from Mount Pleasant and private sellers between 2023 and 2024. The two lots sit northwest of an existing Microsoft facility.
Plans include almost 9 million square feet of building space. Three substations will power the operations.
The expansion addresses Microsoft’s growing need for computing power. The company competes with Amazon, Google, and Oracle to build AI infrastructure.
These facilities house Nvidia chips that train and run generative AI models. Microsoft has already booked revenue from OpenAI and other clients that requires this capacity.
The project sits on land with a troubled past. Foxconn announced plans in 2017 for a $10 billion manufacturing plant.
The device maker promised 13,000 jobs. Then-President Donald Trump championed the initiative.
Mount Pleasant bought land using state funds. The village invested in infrastructure improvements.
Foxconn delivered far less than promised. By 2023, the company employed only 1,000 workers statewide. Mount Pleasant faced over $250 million in debt.
Microsoft’s project offers redemption for the area. Six residents spoke in support during Monday’s public comment period. Three raised concerns.
Village board president David DeGroot defended the project against claims about temporary employment. He addressed union workers directly at the meeting.
“I don’t see anything temporary in 10 years,” DeGroot stated when discussing the construction timeline.
Water consumption drew attention from residents. The planning commission addressed these concerns Wednesday.
Samuel Schultz serves as Mount Pleasant’s community development director. He confirmed the new facilities won’t exceed current water allocations.
The 15 data centers will use the existing 8.4 million gallons received annually from Racine. No additional water supply is needed.
Microsoft now moves to the next phase. The company can submit final civil engineering plans and file for building permits.
The approval process went smoother than Microsoft’s experience elsewhere. Nearby Caledonia residents blocked a similar project last September.
Finding suitable data center locations has become increasingly difficult. Utilities often lack necessary energy capacity. Local opposition campaigns have stalled projects nationwide.
Mount Pleasant’s support stands out in this environment. Microsoft will become the area’s largest employer through this development.
Construction jobs will span roughly a decade according to village officials. The project transforms land from a failed promise into active development.
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