Construction complete for first data center facility in Mount Pleasant
Microsoft has completed its first data center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, named Fairwater, which houses a supercomputer for AI innovation. The project, which also includes a second facility under construction, is expected to create thousands of jobs but has faced public concerns regarding its energy and water demands.
Microsoft announced the completion of its Fairwater data center, the first facility of its kind in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, ahead of schedule. Brad Smith, Microsoft's vice chair and president, highlighted that the campus will host the world's most powerful supercomputer, intended to power global AI innovation and generate significant economic opportunities locally through job creation and regional investment.
The data center, built on land originally designated for a Foxconn facility, is projected to create 2,000 permanent jobs, having already provided employment for 10,000 construction workers. Work is ongoing on a second adjacent facility, anticipated to be completed by 2028. David DeGroot, president of the Village of Mount Pleasant, praised the project as a historic milestone for Racine County, elevating the community as a hub for technology and advancement.
Despite the positive economic outlook, Microsoft has encountered "backlash" from the community over concerns regarding the substantial energy and water consumption of the data center. The company has affirmed its commitment to being a "good neighbor" in Southeast Wisconsin amid these environmental considerations.