Microsoft intends to expand in a place where it's been welcomed, months after backing down on a rezoning attempt in an adjacent village when residents objected.

The Big Tech rivals are spending more than ever, but analysts are more concerned about Microsoft at the moment.

Microsoft proposes adding 15 data centers in Mount Pleasant, totaling 8.7 million sq ft and generating millions in annual property tax revenue.

Microsoft’s promises come after President Donald Trump focuses on affordability issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The tech giant laid out a five-point plan to address backlash in communities around the country over AI infrastructure buildouts.

As an industry, we need a cultural change to raise the bar on ourselves and to be more comfortable being transparent," said Microsoft's Brad Smith

Jan 13 (Reuters) - Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled an initiative to curb water usage at its U.S. data centers and limit the impact on the general population from any potential surge in power prices. Political leaders across the U.

Microsoft plans 15 new data centers in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, adding 8.7 million square feet equivalent to 40 Walmart Supercenters in size.

Mount Pleasant approved 15 more Microsoft data centers on Monday, Jan. 26, expanding an AI project officials say could become the world’s largest supercomputer, with construction expected to begin later this year.

"While we welcome Microsoft's acknowledgment that more transparency is needed, voluntary disclosures and broad promises are not enough" a group stated

Microsoft has committed to “paying its way” to ensure its data centers will not ramp up residential utility rates, becoming the first major hyperscaler to

Microsoft has stood up 1GW of data center capacity in Q2 of FY2026 alone, in another quarter of heavy spending. This is a rapid increase in deployment timelines, with the company previously bringing 2GW online in FY2025 as a whole.