Microsoft surprises tech world by purchasing a $76 million pumpkin farm in Wisconsin. The farm was previously eyed by Foxconn for a factory project. Microsoft plans to create 600 jobs and expand its data center infrastructure in the area. The company's investment aligns with industry trends and has the support of local authorities. Wisconsin governor Tony Evers is optimistic about the partnership with Microsoft.
Microsoft
has surprised the
tech
— and the agricultural — world by purchasing a 126-acre
pumpkin farm
in
Mount Pleasant
,
Wisconsin
, for a cool $76 million. According to a report by The Verge (via Milwaukee Business Journal), Microsoft has paid out lot more than what the land was valued at. “The Creuziger family’s land was originally valued at $174,200 in 2023, but then rose to $598,400 after making improvements,” noted the report by The Verge.
The farm, previously eyed by
Foxconn
for a massive factory project, however the company backed out.
Foxconn had promised to create 13,000 jobs but the project never materialised. Microsoft, as per the report, could create 600 jobs. The additional land could accommodate further
data center
construction, supporting the company's growing cloud computing services like Azure. Microsoft already has a data centre in the area.
In March, Microsoft unveiled ambitious plans to invest a substantial $1 billion in the construction of a state-of-the-art data center spanning 315 acres, located within the previously designated Foxconn development area in Racine County. This strategic move positions Microsoft as a pivotal player in the region's technological infrastructure.
Breaking ground on the expansive facility in September, Microsoft's foray into Racine County is poised to redefine the landscape. Pending approval from the village and county, the tech giant is set to emerge as the foremost landowner in a district initially earmarked for Foxconn's development.
Local authorities have underscored the significance of Microsoft's proposed land purchase, acknowledging the transformative impact it could have on the region's economic and technological landscape. The company's commitment to this substantial investment aligns with broader industry trends, emphasising the critical role of advanced data centers in powering the digital future.
Wisconsin governor Tony Evers had said in a statement in November "Microsoft’s injection of billions of dollars to expand its operations in Mount Pleasant will have a positive impact that will be felt in the region and across our state for years, and I cannot wait for this partnership to continue to strengthen and develop as this effort moves forward," he said.
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