Mount Pleasant’s village board gave Microsoft the green light Monday evening. The unanimous vote approved plans for 15 new data centers near an existing facility.
The expansion comes as Microsoft races against Amazon, Google, and Oracle to build computing capacity. These companies need data centers packed with Nvidia chips to train and run AI models.
Microsoft bought land for the project from the village and private owners in 2023 and 2024. The two lots sit just northwest of the company’s current site.
The plans call for almost 9 million square feet of building area. Three new substations will support the facilities.
The taxable value tops $13 billion. This makes it one of the largest development projects in the area’s history.
Mount Pleasant’s village board president David DeGroot pushed back against criticism about temporary jobs. He told union workers at the meeting they would be on site for the next decade.
“I don’t see anything temporary in 10 years,” DeGroot said during the Monday meeting.
The land tells an interesting story. In 2017, Foxconn promised a $10 billion plant that would create 13,000 jobs.
President Donald Trump promoted the initiative. The village bought up land to make room. State tax dollars paid for infrastructure improvements.
Foxconn didn’t deliver. By 2023, the company employed just 1,000 people across Wisconsin. Mount Pleasant owed over $250 million.
Microsoft stepped in where Foxconn failed. The village appears more welcoming this time around.
Six people spoke in favor of the project during public comments. Three raised concerns. The overwhelming support contrasts with Microsoft’s experience in nearby Caledonia, where residents blocked a similar project last September.
The planning commission addressed water usage concerns Wednesday. Samuel Schultz, Mount Pleasant’s community development director, confirmed the facilities would use existing allocations.
The 15 new data centers will not exceed the 8.4 million gallons the village receives annually from Racine. This was a key concern for residents.
Microsoft can now submit final civil engineering plans. Building permits will follow soon after.
The expansion allows Microsoft to recognize revenue already booked from OpenAI and other clients. Finding sites for data centers has become challenging as utilities struggle to provide necessary energy.
Local opposition campaigns have slowed projects nationwide. Mount Pleasant’s approval stands out as a rare smooth process.
The project will make Microsoft the largest employer in the area. Construction is expected to begin once final permits are issued.
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