Two data center projects are heading in different directions, with a project by Microsoft in Mount Pleasant moving forward with an expansion, while DeForest village staff have decided that the proposed QTS data center project is “not feasible.”
The village board of Mount Pleasant has unanimously approved Microsoft’s site plans for its data center expansion development in Racine County, Wisconsin Public Radio reports.
The approval came Monday to pave the way for the company to build its $13 billion project. The expansion will add 15 additional data centers as part of two new campuses, on top of $7 billion Microsoft has already invested into two other data center campuses in the village.
As for DeForest, the village staff recommended the village president reject the annexation petition at its upcoming Feb. 3 village board meeting.
“The Village anticipates that QTS will formally withdraw its Comprehensive Plan Amendment request and Zoning application once the annexation petition has been rejected,” the village said in a statement.
If this happens, the village will cancel the previously noticed Feb. 9 planning and zoning commission public hearing. If the applications are not withdrawn by this meeting, the public hearing will be held, and village staff will recommend the planning and zoning commission deny both amendments.
The DeForest project would cost $12 billion and include five data center buildings on 650 acres. Residents have been firmly opposed to the project.
