Microsoft Expands AI Data Center Investment in Wisconsin

Microsoft Corporation is nearing the completion of its first AI data center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, and has announced plans to build a second facility in the state. The new data center will be similar in size and scale to the first and is expected to be operational by the end of 2028.

The first data center, which was announced in 2023, is set to become operational in early 2026. It will house hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA GPUs, providing performance ten times greater than today's fastest supercomputers. The facility will utilize a closed-loop liquid cooling system to maintain efficiency and sustainability.

Microsoft's total investment in Wisconsin will exceed $7 billion, with the second data center alone accounting for $4 billion. The company is also collaborating with local educational institutions to develop a skilled workforce for its data centers, including the launch of a "Datacenter Academy" in partnership with Gateway Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The projects are expected to create thousands of construction jobs and several hundred permanent roles, further boosting the local economy and positioning Wisconsin as a leader in AI technology.