Microsoft has received approval from Wisconsin authorities to build 15 additional data centers in Mount Pleasant, where it already has existing facilities. The expansion will allow Microsoft to process revenue from OpenAI and other clients as demand grows for data centers that support generative AI workloads. The new development is split across two areas northwest of the current site.
Readers would recall that in September 2025, Microsoft revealed that it was in the final phases of building Fairwater, one of its most powerful AI data centers, in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Microsoft said that it was on track to complete construction and bring this AI datacenter online in early 2026, fulfilling its initial US$ 3.3 billion investment pledge.
According to a report by CNBC, village board officials approved the plans unanimously on Monday January 26. Six residents spoke in favour, while three raised concerns. One opponent questioned the longevity of data center jobs. Mount Pleasant residents and officials have generally welcomed Microsoft’s project.
David DeGroot, Mount Pleasant Village Board, President, addressing union members was quoted by the publication as saying, “When I heard that these jobs are temporary from somebody, if I was you, I would take umbrage to that, because it’s my understanding that you are going to be out there on those sites for the next 10 years.”
Microsoft purchased the larger lot from the village and private owners in 2023 and 2024. Together, the plans propose nearly 9 million square feet of building space and three new substations. The taxable value of the developments is estimated to exceed US$ 13 billion and the data centers’ water requirements would not exceed 8.4 million gallons annually from nearby Racine.
Other cloud providers including Amazon, Google, and Oracle are racing to build similar facilities equipped with Nvidia chips. Site selection can be difficult, as utilities may lack the necessary energy and some communities oppose new data centers.