Microsoft 15-building data center expansion (Mount Pleasant)
Microsoft won approval to build 15 more data center buildings in Mount Pleasant, with almost 9 million square feet of space and three new substations. Its taxable value is expected to be over $13 billion. Microsoft said the buildings would use no more than 8.4 million gallons of water a year from Racine.
Where things stand: The village board approved plans for 15 more data center buildings on Jan. 26, 2026.
🕒 Latest update (Jan 26, 2026): The Mount Pleasant Village Board voted unanimously to approve plans for 15 more Microsoft data center buildings.
What we know
- 📍 WhereTwo areas northwest of Microsoft's current data center site, Mount Pleasant, Racine County
- 🏢 CompanyMicrosoft
- 🏛️ Owned byMicrosoft
- 👤 Built forMicrosoft
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromPlans include three new electric substations.
- 🗼 New power linesYes
- 💧 WaterRacine (city water utility)
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- When will construction on the 15 new buildings start? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much electricity will the expansion need? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Jan 26, 2026The Mount Pleasant Village Board voted unanimously to approve plans for 15 more Microsoft data center buildings.
Local votes and rules
⚖️ Court case
Three nearby residents filed a federal class action lawsuit against Microsoft over humming noise from its new Mount Pleasant data center. Microsoft said cooling fans at start-up caused the noise and it made changes.
✅ Approved
Mount Pleasant's Village Board unanimously approved plans for 15 more Microsoft data center buildings, with almost 9 million square feet and three new substations.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Microsoft gains approval for 15 new data centers in Wisconsin · W.Media · Jan 27, 2026
- Microsoft's $3.3B Fairwater AI Data Center Goes Live Ahead of Schedule in Wisconsin · The Energy Mag · April 20, 2026
- At least four Wisconsin communities signed secrecy deals for data centers · Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / Wisconsin Watch · Feb 1, 2026
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