10 Nov Microsoft pledges billions in new developments in Mount Pleasant
Less than a year after inking a deal to build a $1 billion data center in Mount Pleasant’s sprawling Wisconsin Innovation Park, Microsoft is ready to make an even bigger investment and a significant increase in its Wisconsin footprint.
Regional economic development officials on Friday said Microsoft plans to buy the remainder of the parcel on which it is building the first of two previously announced buildings as well as parcels west and north of the site in what’s known as Areas II and III in the tax incremental financing district that was created to fund the business park.
Those parcels were controlled by Foxconn, which is giving up options it held on the land. Microsoft will also acquire about 400 acres of privately-owned farmland in Area II.
In all the company would purchase 1,030 additional acres, pending approval by the village and Racine County.
Foxconn sent shockwaves through the state when it announced Wisconsin was among the places the technology giant was considering expanding to in 2017.
The news prompted lawmakers to draft a multi-billion dollar subsidy package in an effort to lure Foxconn to Wisconsin, which the company ultimately accepted.