Apr. 10, 2025 12:45p
(WGTD/AP)---There’s some additional clarity on the decision by Microsoft to pause part of its data center development in Mt. Pleasant. The construction project isn’t the only one to be put on hold.
The company confirmed this week that it’s halting early-stage projects on rural land it owns in Ohio outside of Columbus. In a social media post, Noelle Walsh, the president of Microsoft’s cloud computing operation, indicated that the company might not need quite as many powerful computers as expected. Analysts tie this to a shift in Microsoft’s close relationship with its business partner, OpenAI, maker of Chat GPT.
The Associated Press reports the Ohio pause came as a disappointment to local officials who were elated at Microsoft’s initial announcement that it would invest $1 billion.
In Mt. Pleasant, the first phase of Microsoft’s building project is on track. That data center is expected to go online next year and will cover the $3.3 billion that the company promised to invest in the village.
What’s on hold is the development of hundreds of acres west of the first phase.
In addition, there’s been no word on the status of a proposed Microsoft data center project in Kenosha County.
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