en.Wedoany.com Reported - On April 14, 2026, local time, Microsoft announced plans to purchase approximately 3,200 acres of land in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the construction of a data center. This expansion will roughly double Microsoft's physical footprint in Cheyenne. The land parcel, located southeast of downtown Cheyenne, consists of an approximately 200-acre plot within the Bison Business Park and an adjacent approximately 3,000-acre undeveloped tract, totaling about 5 square miles. Since first entering Cheyenne in 2012, Microsoft has built 11 operational data centers, with an additional 3 under construction distributed across four campuses in the city.
Rima Alaily, Microsoft's Vice President of Infrastructure Legal Affairs and General Counsel, stated that the company was initially attracted to Cheyenne by its highly skilled workforce, infrastructure, and vibrant energy industry, and this investment represents a commitment to the city's continued growth. In 2025, Microsoft became the largest taxpayer in Cheyenne and the second-largest taxpayer in Laramie County, contributing over $11 million annually in property taxes. In its official statement, the company explicitly committed that this expansion project will not accept any local property tax abatements, ensuring the local community benefits from development through tax revenues.
The land transaction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026, to be followed by the initiation of city annexation and rezoning application procedures, as well as formal community hearings and informal resident meetings. Microsoft indicated the entire project is a multi-year planning and development process, with specific design plans and final energy requirements to be determined after the land transaction closes. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins stated this is the latest long-term investment Microsoft has brought to Cheyenne since 2012, and the expansion project represents job opportunities and tax revenue for the next decade, which will safeguard the quality of life for residents.
Microsoft has committed over $68 million for off-site infrastructure upgrades across Cheyenne, encompassing both completed and planned projects. Specific initiatives include road and stormwater drainage improvements, trail system and greenway optimizations, new pump station construction, and municipal water facility upgrades. The company has entered into a large power contract service rate mechanism with Black Hills Energy, directly covering the costs of infrastructure upgrades and the full cost of electricity procured by the utility on its behalf. Rima Alaily noted that Wyoming is a net energy-exporting state, and Microsoft aims to use in-state energy to support local jobs rather than exporting it out of state.
Water-saving technologies like closed-loop cooling continue to limit data center water withdrawal and consumption. Microsoft undertakes broader water replenishment commitments in each operating community, including partnering with Cheyenne to manage Crow Creek stormwater pollution, improve Dry Creek drainage capacity, and collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service to reduce erosion and sediment to protect downstream wetland habitats. The expansion project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of full-time positions. Microsoft currently employs approximately 220 full-time staff in Cheyenne, and its Data Center Academy, in partnership with local colleges, has trained over 1,000 individuals.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
