Microsoft (MSFT) Stock: Wisconsin Approves 15 Data Centers Worth $13 Billion

TLDR

• Mount Pleasant’s village board unanimously approved Microsoft’s plans for 15 additional data centers in Wisconsin on Monday
• The two proposed lots will add almost 9 million square feet of building area with a taxable value exceeding $13 billion
• Construction jobs at the project are expected to last around 10 years according to village board president David DeGroot
• The data centers will be built on land originally purchased for a failed Foxconn manufacturing plant that left the village owing over $250 million
• Microsoft will not require additional water beyond the 8.4 million gallons annually from the city of Racine

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.

Microsoft Corporation, MSFT

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.

From Foxconn Failure to Microsoft Success

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.

Water and Next Steps

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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