Microsoft is building a datacenter in the greater Hickory, North Carolina area, near the Hickory-Lincolnton Highway in Catawba County.

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.

February 2026: Construction update

At the Hickory/Stover site, the general contractor Clayco will begin initial site setup and earthwork activities. This phase focuses on preparing the site for future construction and does not involve vertical building at this time.

Construction hours

Construction activity is expected to take place from Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Work hours will follow local permitting requirements.

Staying connected

We will keep the community up to date via our North Carolina page in our Microsoft in your community blog.

For construction related questions, email Thomas Plant at plantt@claycorp.com or leave a message at 919-810‑3035.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Microsoft Community Engagement Manager at northcarolinadc@microsoft.com or leave a voicemail at 980-776-2251.

October 2024: Community information session

We have rescheduled the community information session:

Monday, October 21, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
at the Stover Datacenter Site, Hickory Lincolnton Hwy, Newton NC .

September 2024: Construction update

***Meeting postponed due to recent hurricane devastation *** We invite you to a community information session:

Monday, September 30, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Rhoney’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 3778 Hickory Lincolnton Hwy, Newton, NC 28258

Construction timeline

Datacenter construction began in July 2024. The general contractor Ames Construction Company is preparing the site by excavating and crushing rock onsite. In some cases, this involves controlled rock excavation and fracturing in the early afternoon to break apart larger rocks.

Together with our general contractor Ames Construction Company, we will keep neighbors informed in advance of construction work.

Staying connected

We will keep the community up to date via our North Carolina page in our Microsoft in your community blog.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Microsoft Community Engagement Manager at northcarolinadc@microsoft.com or leave a voicemail at 980-776-2251.