Being built
Microsoft Stover data center (Hickory area)
Also called: Microsoft Hickory datacenter
Microsoft is building five one-story data center buildings near Newton, called its Hickory site. Construction started in 2024 and is ongoing.
Where things stand: Construction began July 2024; foundations were underway in May 2026, with steel to follow.
🕒 Latest update (May 2026): Microsoft said underground utilities and foundations were underway, with steel set to start at the end of June.
What we know
- 📍 WhereNear the Hickory-Lincolnton Highway and Stover Court, near Newton, unknown, Catawba County
- 🏢 CompanyMicrosoft
- 👤 Built forMicrosoft
- 🔌 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 it use? 🙋 I'll find out
- Which city's limits is the site in, if any? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will it have diesel backup generators? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Nov 2022Microsoft announced at least $1 billion for four data centers in Catawba County.
- July 2024Construction began.
- May 2026Microsoft said underground utilities and foundations were underway, with steel set to start at the end of June.
🛰️ See it from above
An aerial photo of the area.
Photos: USGS The National Map.
Where this comes from
- Hickory (Stover) datacenter construction update · Microsoft · May 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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