By WRAL News staff and wire reports
Publication Date: 2026-02-24 22:03:00
Microsoft this year plans to begin the permitting process for a data center that is expected to grow the tax base and create jobs in Person County, officials said Tuesday.
The Redmond, Washington-based tech giant paid $26.85 million for the 1,385-acre megasite in 2024. The project has been in the works for almost three years, economic developers say, but the company has been quiet about its plans at the site in Woodsdale Township, which extends to the Virginia border.
County officials said Tuesday that Microsoft is in the early stages of development but has outlined several commitments. Microsoft plans to “pay its own way” to ensure its data center development doesn’t increase electricity prices, the county said in a news release. Microsoft is also expected to invest in local information technology training and nonprofits, the county…
