Microsoft revealed its plans for a 1,350 acre parcel in Person County — approx. an hour from Raleigh — after purchasing Person County Mega Park for ~$27 million in 2024. The parcel will become a data center, and permitting will begin later this year.
Data centers like the one Microsoft is planning help power artificial intelligence and cloud computing. According to The News & Observer, Microsoft promised residents that the data center won’t increase energy costs or reduce the water supply, a major concern for other data center neighbors across the country.
“We are excited to learn more about their plans for data center development in our county,” Person County board chair Kyle Puryear wrote to The News & Observer. “And are confident that their presence will drive economic growth and enhance community well-being through strategic investment, job creation, and responsible stewardship of resources.”
