Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Friday that Microsoft Corp. will invest $402.4 million to expand its data center site in Mecklenburg County and increase capacity to serve its growing customer base. Virginia successfully competed against other sites in the U.S. for the project, which will create 42 new jobs. Microsoft’s original project in 2010 involved an investment of up to $499 million and 50 new jobs. In 2011 the company invested an additional $150 million to expand the site, and in 2013 announced a $348 million expansion. In June 2014 Microsoft invested another $346.7 million, creating 90 new jobs.
Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Microsoft Corp. is a valued corporate partner that continues to heavily invest in Virginia. The company’s fourth expansion project represents more than $1.74 billion in total capital investment since 2010, bringing more than 200 jobs to citizens in Southern Virginia. Microsoft’s tremendous growth trajectory is a testament to the Commonwealth’s superior infrastructure and the success of our burgeoning data center industry, playing a key role in our efforts to build a new Virginia economy.”
“Microsoft’s expansion is great news for the Commonwealth and for Southside, in particular,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “An existing corporate citizen is once again expanding, investing significant capital and adding new jobs. This is a true testament to the great climate for business growth in rural Virginia.”
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
“The demand for cloud services continues to grow worldwide,” said Christian Belady, General Manager, Datacenter Strategy Planning & Development, Cloud Infrastructure and Operations at Microsoft.“Together with The Commonwealth of Virginia and the County of Mecklenburg, we’re continuing our focus to meet these customer needs by expanding capacity for our reliable, scalable, security-enhanced cloud services.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Mecklenburg County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $700,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Mecklenburg County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $1.34 million in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project.
“Mecklenburg County is again very pleased to be a part of another expansion for Microsoft,” said Glenn Barbour, Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors. “Our County Administrator, Wayne Carter, has worked closely with Microsoft and our state and local partners to offer all the assistance available to continue Microsoft’s growth here in Mecklenburg County. This expansion creates additional job opportunities for our citizens and greatly expands our economic base. We look forward to working with Microsoft and all of our state level partners well into the future.”
“We are delighted that Microsoft has decided to again expand operations in Mecklenburg County,” said Senator Frank Ruff, Vice Chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. “Clearly Microsoft has found Mecklenburg a good place to do business and the county has found them to be a good corporate citizen. The Virginia Tobacco Commission has been pleased to be involved in its role with not only this expansion, but also in attracting them to the region.”
“I am delighted that Microsoft is proceeding with its fourth expansion in Mecklenburg County since the original project began in 2010,” said Delegate Tommy Wright. “All the partners working together have made the continued growth of Microsoft in Mecklenburg possible. I am also very pleased that The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission has approved $1.34 million in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds to assist with this project. The continued investment in Mecklenburg County and the creation of an additional 42 jobs is exciting news for Mecklenburg County and for the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
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Chris Graham
