Microsoft Plans Major Wyoming Land Acquisition for Data Center Growth
April 15, 2026
Microsoft is significantly expanding its footprint in the American West with plans to acquire approximately 3,200 acres of land in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for future data center development. This move underscores the relentless demand for cloud and AI infrastructure, pushing hyperscalers to secure large tracts of land in strategic, power-available locations beyond traditional hubs.
The proposed acquisition involves two parcels southeast of downtown Cheyenne: a 200-acre plot in the Bison Business Park and a much larger adjacent 3,000-acre tract. While specific development plans for the sites are not yet finalized, the company stated that this land purchase "represents the start of what the company expects to be a multiyear planning and development process." This expansion builds on Microsoft's established presence in the region, which began with its first $122 million data center investment in Cheyenne back in 2012.
Bowen Wallace, corporate vice president for data centers in the Americas at Microsoft, emphasized the company's long-term commitment: “Since the development of our first data center in 2012, Microsoft has been working to strengthen, not strain, the community of Cheyenne. We’re excited to continue our growth in the state, bringing more investment, opportunity, and tax revenue to the community we’ve been a part of for more than 14 years.” The company has steadily grown its local operations, including the 2016 launch of the West Central Azure region and the addition of two more facilities in 2021.
Local officials have welcomed the continued investment. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins noted, “This is the latest in a long line of investments that Microsoft has brought to the city of Cheyenne as a member of our community since 2012. Microsoft recognizes the strength of our city’s workers, infrastructure, and economy. This expansion represents the next decade of opportunity and tax revenue that secures the quality of life that residents of our city enjoy.” The city had previously voted in 2024 to expand a business park by over 920 acres to accommodate Microsoft, with groundbreaking following in August 2026.
Microsoft has committed to covering costs for necessary infrastructure and power upgrades through its utility partner, Black Hills Energy, and is working to increase carbon-free energy in Wyoming. The company also pledges to be water-positive and expects the construction phase to create thousands of trade jobs. This large-scale investment is poised to transform Wyoming's relatively small data center market, which also includes Meta and developing projects from Prometheus Hyperscale, Crusoe, and a separate $1.2 billion, 302MW campus by Related Digital with CoreWeave as anchor tenant.
Source: datacenterdynamics
