#

Now everyone claims Microsoft will build a data center on the Foxconn land in Wisconsin

Foxconn’s dome in Wisconsin, with “high performance computing” shipping container next to it.
Foxconn’s dome in Wisconsin, with the “high performance computing” shipping container next to it. | Image: Nilay Patel

The Foxconn land in Wisconsin may finally be used for a meaningful technology project — but not by Foxconn.

Last week, the village board of Mount Pleasant voted to allow Microsoft to build a data center on land previously cleared for the Foxconn LCD fab that never arrived. Microsoft will buy the land for $50 million, some of which will be used to reimburse Foxconn for releasing its rights to the land. It does not appear that Foxconn will play any part in operating the data center itself.

The announcement came days before an election in which the board incumbents narrowly defeated challengers critical of the Foxconn deal.

Foxconn spokesperson Rusty Schultz declined to comment on the record, instead pointing to an unattributed statement p…

Continue reading…