Understanding Microsoft datacenters in Southern Virginia

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 Virginia

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 design and operate our datacenters to become carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030. Additionally, Microsoft pursues LEED Gold certification for newly built datacenters.

Energy

Microsoft will procure 100% renewable energy coverage globally by 2025.

In Virginia, we are transitioning our datacenters’ backup generators to be powered by a renewable biofuel that reduces net carbon emissions.

Watch this video to learn how Microsoft datacenters are helping pave the way for a sustainable future

Water

Microsoft is committed to being water positive by 2030. We continue to scale our efforts to reduce water use across our operations, while increasing procurement from alternative sources and investing in innovative replenishment and access projects.

Our facilities in Virginia use direct evaporative cooling, which uses water approximately 15% of the year, and require minimal water for employee use. Read more about transforming datacenter water efficiency.

Watch this video about our other datacenters that use water for cooling.

Waste

Microsoft datacenters in Virginia and other locations renew zero-waste certification through the UL’s Zero Waste to Landfill program.

As part of our zero-waste commitment, we opened the Boydton Microsoft Circular Center in 2021 which can process up to 12,000 servers per month for recycling and reuse.

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 Southern Virginia.

Get to know some of the Microsoft datacenter employees in Southern Virginia

• Ashley Buchanan
• Zaya Medici

Skilling opportunities

The Microsoft Datacenter Academy originally launched in Southern Virginia in 2018 and is now a global program.

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

Community investments in Southern Virginia

Microsoft partnered with Mecklenburg County High School to provide two state-of-the-art greenhouses for the agricultural department. The greenhouses are providing students with opportunities to learn how to become self-sustaining farmers upon graduation—a trend that will help revive the farming industry in the region.

• Southern Virginia 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 Southern Virginia community blog to stay informed.

Through a partnership with the Friends of Occoneechee State Park, Microsoft has helped the park expand its pollinator habitats, add three additional picnic areas, and fund plans for adding a handicap-accessible floating fishing pier and kayak launch. In addition, Microsoft has secured a conservation easement adjacent to the park to help ensure protection of local wildlife and plants.

Microsoft is partnering with the South Hill Bread Box to help combat food insecurity in the region. Microsoft funding also helped the South Hill Volunteer Fire Department replace critical PPE that was destroyed in a massive downtown fire.