Cross-laminated timber is placed for a Microsoft data centre under construction in northern Virginia. (Image courtesy of Microsoft)

The company said the main site, where construction began in early 2024, is still scheduled to open in 2026.

Preliminary work had started on two future expansion sites, but activity has since stopped. Microsoft did not clarify the reason for the pause, though indicated such moves are not unusual and unrelated to broader economic uncertainty.

The announcement follows a similar pause earlier this year, when Microsoft said it was reviewing future phases of the project in light of evolving technology needs.

Microsoft pauses construction of US$3b Wisconsin data centre Microsoft has paused the construction of a data centre in the US less than one year after it started

Officials in Mount Pleasant, located about 30-mi south of Milwaukee, said they continue to support the development, which is expected to create more than 2,000 union construction jobs.

Microsoft previously acquired more than 1,900 acres in the region, including former Taiwan-based manufacturer Foxconn’s site, which was originally slated for an LED factory.

Microsoft plans $3bn AI hub investment in Wisconsin, US Tech giant announces new major data centre build