Understanding Microsoft datacenters in Racine County

Datacenters are part of everyday life

Essential for modern technology, datacenters power everything from online grocery shopping, online banking, and remote work to scheduling medical appointments and staying connected with family and friends. Datacenters also support businesses, hospitals, schools, and governments.

Imagine a building packed with thousands of computer servers and data storage devices, all connected to the internet—that’s a datacenter, working tirelessly to keep our lives connected and efficient.

Datacenters enable innovation and enhance productivity in today’s digital age. Take a virtual step inside or learn more by visiting datacenters.microsoft.com What impact do datacenters have on the local economy? According to research provided by the US Chamber of Commerce , local datacenter infrastructure supports and stimulates the development of datacenter and construction jobs, improves local infrastructure via tax revenue, and bolsters other technology companies that support these projects. Learn key facts about Microsoft’s approach for building and operating datacenters in Wisconsin

Project overview

Microsoft is proposing a datacenter project in the Village of Caledonia. The project is currently in the initial phase of the planning and development process.

Why datacenters are needed

Datacenters provide the physical infrastructure for the technology we depend on at work and in our personal lives. Whenever you open an app on your phone, join a virtual classroom or meeting, snap and save photos, or play a game with your friends online, you are using a datacenter. Local businesses, government, hospitals, and schools rely on datacenters every day to deliver goods and services to you.

September 24th, 2025 neighborhood information meeting recap

The Village of Caledonia hosted a neighborhood information meeting about the planned Caledonia datacenter project on September 24th, 2025. The project is in the planning and rezoning stage. 

Microsoft appreciated the opportunity to talk with community members that participated in the meeting and visited stations to talk with subject matter experts. The meeting stations focused on an overview of datacenters, the current plan for the Caledonia datacenter project (for example, concept plan, water, energy), next steps in Microsoft’s process, and Microsoft’s partnerships in the Racine County community. If you were unable to attend the neighborhood information meeting, you can also view the boards shown at the meeting.

Microsoft also shared fact sheets on:

• Datacenter FAQs
• Responsible water use
• Lighting our datacenters
• Minimizing noise at our datacenter operations
• Blending innovation and sustainability into datacenters using biomimicry
• Understanding Microsoft datacenter jobs in your community
• WE Energy powering growth

In addition, Racine County Economic Development Corp., Microsoft, and Dewberry presented at the Village of Caledonia board meeting on September 23rd, 2025.

If you were unable to attend, you can view the presentation online.

Microsoft is proud to have joined the Village of Mount Pleasant community in 2023. We are currently building two datacenters in the Village of Mount Pleasant. Our commitment goes beyond infrastructure—we invest in the communities where we build and operate.

Since joining the community, we’ve:

• Announced a Datacenter Academy partnership with Gateway Technical College to train students in datacenter operations.
• Partnered with Root-Pike WIN on environmental restoration projects, including Lamparek Creek.
• Collaborated with United Way of Racine County and other organizations to support digital skill building, STEM education, and other community needs.

Made in Wisconsin: The world’s most powerful AI datacenter

Inside the world’s most powerful AI datacenter

We believe that companies that can do more, should. That’s why we remain focused on key areas in which technology can and must benefit the future of humanity and our planet.

Aligned with Microsoft’s  global commitments , our  datacenter community pledge is to build and operate digital infrastructure that addresses community challenges and creates local benefits where we operate and where our employees live and work.

We aim to…

• Contribute to a sustainable future
• Advance community prosperity and well-being
• Operate responsibly as a good neighbor

We will deliver significant local, economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Jobs

By the end of 2026, we project hundreds of full-time employees and contractors will work across our operational facilities in Racine County.

Skilling opportunities

Our Mount Pleasant datacenter campus will include Wisconsin’s first Microsoft Datacenter Academy program, with a simulated datacenter lab for educational training. Microsoft also offers scholarships and internships to support students.

• Build the skills to work at our Microsoft Racine County datacenters
• Understanding Microsoft datacenter jobs in your community

Community investments in Racine County

• With United Way of Racine County, the Equity Through Technology fund supports STEAM-related programs and local nonprofit organizations, schools, and underserved groups in Racine County.
• Wisconsin community investments

Watch this video to learn more about our approach to community investments.

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In all we do, Microsoft strives to be a responsible neighbor.

• We listen, learn, build relationships, and follow through on our commitments. Microsoft collaborates with nonprofits and suppliers who share our commitment to expand opportunities for all.
• And to be a good neighbor, we want to keep you in the loop. Visit our Wisconsin community blog to stay informed.

We’re partnering with Root Pike WIN to fund 10 ecological restoration projects. Our Mount Pleasant datacenter campus intersects with the Lamparek Creek restoration project.

Microsoft and National Grid Renewables will jointly contribute $20 million to a fund for under-resourced communities and those disproportionately affected by pollution.