Microsoft's Mount Pleasant data center has 375 employees and counting, promises fan noise resolution after complaints

Microsoft has confirmed significant progress at its Mount Pleasant data center campus in Wisconsin, where it has already hired 375 full-time employees and expects to reach 800 as construction continues. The company is actively bringing equipment online for its first facility and anticipates hiring an additional 125 employees for that site, with plans for 15 more data centers on the campus. Village of Mount Pleasant spokesperson Sean Ryan stated the project is ahead of schedule, having surpassed its construction timeline and property value commitments outlined in its development agreement by over $1.4 billion this year. The development has faced local opposition, particularly from residents in nearby Sturtevant, who reported significant noise from the data center's cooling fans. The noise was audible inside homes and disruptive to sleep, leading to complaints at an April 9 community meeting. Sturtevant Village President Mike Rosenbaum had warned that the village would consider litigation if Microsoft did not provide a remediation timeline. In response to the complaints, Microsoft announced it has identified and addressed the source of the fan noise. The company implemented two fixes: manually adjusting fan speeds with mechanical operating limits and installing additional sound reduction components. Microsoft community engagement representative Krysta Venegas acknowledged the noise issue was unanticipated, noting the new design for this data center facility.