Mount Pleasant residents raise concerns over noise from Microsoft AI data center

Residents living near Microsoft's AI data center in Mount Pleasant, Racine County, are expressing strong opposition over persistent noise and light pollution from the facility. The community held a Q&A session at the Mount Pleasant Village Hall, where Microsoft representatives fielded questions for hours regarding the already operational data center and plans for over 15 additional centers currently under construction. Neighbors described a "persistent humming" that can be heard inside their homes and bright lights that remain on all night. Beth Kane, a resident of Sturtevant, an adjacent village, shared her distress, stating the noise has turned her dream home into a nightmare, causing headaches and requiring box fans to cover the sound at night. Sturtevant Village President Mike Rosenbaum, who attended the Q&A, highlighted the impact on his constituents, noting that his village had no say in the data center's initial approval by Mount Pleasant. Microsoft representatives declined to answer questions on camera, referring to an earlier statement acknowledging the noise concerns and confirming an investigation into the root cause. The Mount Pleasant Village President and Communications Director also declined an interview, issuing a statement that they await an update from the company on potential solutions. Rosenbaum is actively working with Microsoft and Mount Pleasant officials to reposition lights away from Sturtevant and has requested a timeline for resolving the humming issue.