Microsoft Confirms Grand Rapids Data Center Plan, Seeks Rezoning for Michigan Site
December 15, 2025
Microsoft has officially confirmed its plans to develop a new data center campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, marking a significant expansion of its cloud infrastructure in the U.S. Midwest. The move underscores the strategic push by hyperscalers to build out capacity in emerging regions to support growing demand for cloud and artificial intelligence services.
The technology giant has submitted a rezoning application for a 40.5-acre parcel of land at 7174 Patterson Avenue in Gaines Township, Kent County. This parcel is part of a larger 316-acre site that Microsoft acquired in October 2024 for $45.3 million. The application, set for discussion at a local meeting on December 18, seeks to change the land designation to light industrial to facilitate data center development.
A Microsoft spokesperson, in a statement to local media, noted that “project plans, including construction timelines, are yet to be finalized. We continue to work with our local partners and are committed to sharing information when we have it.”
The planned development signals Michigan's growing appeal as a data center market. While historically centered around Detroit, the state has seen increased activity, with Grand Rapids forming a secondary hub. Other operators in the region include Switch, US Signal, and Hyperscale Data. The confirmation follows other major, though sometimes stalled, projects in the state, such as a previously proposed $1 billion Meta facility and plans for a Stargate AI data center campus.
For Microsoft, this project represents a calculated investment in a region with available land and power, aligning with its broader strategy to expand its Azure cloud footprint geographically. The development is expected to bring substantial capital investment and could influence further digital infrastructure growth in Western Michigan.
Source: datacenterdynamics
