Microsoft Data Center Project in Person County, NC Faced Secrecy and Infrastructure Challenges

Microsoft secretly purchased 1,350 acres in Woodsdale Township, Person County, North Carolina, for a data center project, with the $27 million land sale announced in October 2024 to the surprise of residents. Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) kept the buyer's identity confidential, leading to a lack of transparency that frustrated community members and some county leaders. Public records requests for project documentation initially faced resistance from the county, with documents temporarily withdrawn. The project involves significant infrastructure demands, including a $3 million sewer system rebuild for cooling water discharge and the construction of new substations, some exceeding local height limits. Duke Energy is also expanding gas-fired power generation, including a new Person County Energy Complex, to meet a projected surge in regional electricity demand, largely driven by data centers. Community members, supported by groups like Clean Water For North Carolina and the Southern Environmental Law Center, have voiced frustrations over the road closure impacting emergency services, the environmental impact of new gas plants, and the lack of transparency surrounding the project's water and energy requirements. Despite opposition, the county approved the project's rezoning in August and a road closure in September 2024. Microsoft and county officials confirmed in February 2026 that the site, known as the Mega Park, would host a data center. Microsoft has since published statements about a "Community-First Infrastructure Initiative" in North Carolina, pledging to cover energy costs and minimize water use. Meanwhile, sales-tax exemptions that attract data centers are under scrutiny from Governor Josh Stein, who has called for lawmakers to reconsider them. The Person County economic development director, Brandy Lynch, who was a key liaison with Microsoft, was fired in March, and Microsoft announced it would cease using NDAs with local governments.