Microsoft to invest $3.3bn in Wisconsin to drive AI-powered economic growth
Microsoft has announced a transformative $3.3 billion investment aimed at bolstering Southeast Wisconsin as a central hub for AI-powered innovation, economic activity, and job creation. This comprehensive package includes the establishment of cutting-edge cloud computing and AI infrastructure, the first manufacturing-focused AI co-innovation lab in the United States, and an expansive AI skilling initiative to equip over 100,000 Wisconsin residents with critical AI competencies.
Inaugural Event with Presidential Support
The announcement of this massive investment was made at Gateway Technical College, with Microsoft President Brad Smith and President Joe Biden in attendance, highlighting the national importance of this initiative.
Enhancing Local Infrastructure and Job Creation
The focal point of Microsoft’s investment is the construction of a state-of-the-art datacenter campus in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Scheduled to be operational by 2026, this project is expected to generate 2,300 union construction jobs by 2025 and numerous long-term employment opportunities thereafter. The datacenter will serve as a crucial backbone for enabling businesses across the nation to develop and deploy advanced cloud services and AI applications.
Educational Initiatives and Workforce Development
In partnership with Gateway Technical College, Microsoft plans to establish a Data Center Academy to train and certify over 1,000 students within five years, preparing them for IT sector jobs that the new data center will create.
AI Co-Innovation Lab at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
A significant part of the investment is the creation of an AI Co-Innovation Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This lab will support 270 Wisconsin companies by 2030, fostering AI and cloud solutions that accelerate business processes and growth, particularly in manufacturing.
Community and Educational Support
Microsoft’s commitment extends beyond infrastructure and corporate partnerships. The company has laid out plans for extensive community engagement, including collaborations with United Way Wisconsin and the Racine Unified School District to provide AI training and STEM education to a broad demographic, focusing on under-resourced communities.
Microsoft’s Longstanding Commitment to Wisconsin
These initiatives build on a series of investments by Microsoft in Wisconsin, which include the TechSpark program to stimulate local economic opportunities and partnerships with local organizations like gener8tor and Microsoft Airband for digital inclusion.
This investment by Microsoft is not just a substantial economic boost for Wisconsin but a testament to the transformative power of AI and cloud technology in revitalizing local industries and communities. The strategic focus on education and training ensures that the benefits of technological advancements are accessible and sustainable, promising a brighter economic future for the region.