Being built
Microsoft Lyle Creek data center (Conover)
Also called: Project Agate
Microsoft is building a data center campus near Highway 16 by Conover. It is one of four Microsoft sites in Catawba County. Microsoft says the cooling will use little water.
Where things stand: Under construction since March 2024. In September 2026 the first building's outside was nearly done.
🕒 Latest update (Sept 2026): Microsoft said the first building's outside was in the final stages.
What we know
- 📍 WhereNear Highway 16 in the greater Conover area, unknown, Catawba County
- 🏢 CompanyMicrosoft
- 👤 Built forMicrosoft
- 🌳 Size220 acres
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromDuke Energy
- 💧 WaterCity of Hickory water. Officials say all sites together will use about 1% of Hickory's daily water capacity, with cooling that uses little water.
- 💸 Tax breaksPart of Microsoft's 2022 deal with Catawba County, Conover, Hickory and Maiden: at least $1 billion for four data centers over 10 years. Microsoft says it will pay property taxes on the full value of buildings and equipment.
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- How many megawatts will the campus use? 🙋 I'll find out
- Is the site inside Conover city limits or on county land? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will it have diesel backup generators, and how many? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Nov 2022Microsoft announced at least $1 billion for four data centers in Catawba County.
- March 2024Construction began with site digging and rock crushing.
- Sept 2026Microsoft said the first building's outside was in the final stages.
🛰️ See it from above
An aerial photo of the area.
Photos: USGS The National Map.
Where this comes from
- Lyle Creek datacenter construction update · Microsoft · Sept 2026
- Joint statement on Microsoft data center development in Catawba County · Catawba County · June 23, 2026
- Microsoft to invest at least $1 billion in North Carolina county · TechXplore (AP) · Nov 2022
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