GRANGER, Ind. - The long-anticipated construction of Microsoft’s massive data center in Granger is set to begin in the coming weeks, with work expected to start in late April or early May. Although the exact groundbreaking date has not been disclosed, local officials have confirmed that the project is moving forward.
The development, which spans 900 acres, will include six data center buildings. Each building is expected to create around 50 jobs, bringing the total workforce at the site to approximately 300 employees. In a recent update, St. Joseph County Councilman Dan Schaetzle shared the latest details about the project on his Facebook page, and his statements were confirmed by Bill Schalliol.
Microsoft plans to finance all necessary infrastructure upgrades to support the data center. These upgrades will include widening Cleveland Road to four lanes from the Bittersweet Roundabout to the railroad tracks, a $30 million investment to bring water and sewer lines from Mishawaka to the site, and electrical infrastructure improvements. Additionally, Microsoft has committed to paying full property taxes without seeking any abatements, a rare move that Councilman Schaetzle says will benefit local entities. "That money will help PHM, the library, county and township governments", Schaetzle noted. "He said it will replace tax dollars lost because of Senate Enrolled Act 1."
The tech giant has also addressed concerns about water usage. The facility will not draw from Granger’s aquifer; instead, it will rely on Mishawaka City water for domestic purposes. To cool its servers, Microsoft has chosen a closed-loop system, where cooling water will be transported into St. Joseph County and later removed for cleaning after two years. Additionally, Microsoft will seal three wells currently on the property.
As part of its investment in the community, Microsoft will establish training programs for data center jobs in partnership with Penn High School and Ivy Tech. These initiatives aim to prepare local residents for employment opportunities at the facility.
Residents interested in learning more about the project will have an opportunity to participate in a community meeting scheduled for late April or early May. Microsoft has not yet provided specific details for the event.
This development represents a significant economic boost for the region, with hundreds of jobs, infrastructure improvements, and community investments on the horizon. As construction nears, anticipation continues to build for what this project will bring to Granger and the surrounding area.
