A photo of County Club Rd. in Person County. Microsoft required the county to close this road to make way for a data center, over the objections of local residents.
Microsoft & Person County Announce Data Center Plans: Why Community Members are Concerned
Microsoft bought the Person County mega-site in 2024. For over a year, Person County officials and Microsoft did not share what their plans were. The uncertainty created concerns among local residents and a fear that decisions which will impact resident’s lives are being made without transparency.
In February, 2026, Microsoft & Person County announced the following, “Microsoft purchased 1,350 acres of land in Person County and plans to begin the permitting process for data center development later this year. Data center projects are highly complex and typically span several years, requiring careful planning, design, and close collaboration with the county, local partners, and the community.”
Data centers create a lot of concerns for local communities. They are huge warehouses that employ few people, but use a lot of electricity and water resources. They cause air pollution, noise pollution, and can contribute to water pollution. Since Microsoft says they want to collaborate with the community, Person County residents came together and wrote a letter with a set of questions for Microsoft, that have yet to be answered, to address those concerns.
Recent Updates
After community push back, Microsoft & Person County encouraged folks to check a new blog they created for the Person County site for updates. You can send your questions (and thoughts!) to the email Microsoft has created PersonDC@microsoft.com or leave a message at 980-776-2251.
In May 2026, The Assembly published: The Data Center That Didn’t Exist, which described how Person County commissioners and Microsoft hid that a planned data center was the true reason for closing Country Club Road. Other major concerns highlighted in this article: the county was searching for taxpayer funded grants for sewer upgrades for the site.
In June 2026, Microsoft sent postcards out announcing a community meeting that would take place 4-7pm Tuesday, June 30- NEW LOCATION: Piedmont Community College (1715 College Drive, Roxboro, NC 27574) in S100 (check out the campus map here).
What You Can Do
- Sign the letter!: Person County Needs Answers from Microsoft
- Attend the community meeting Microsoft is hosting: 4-7pm Tuesday, June 30– NEW LOCATION: Piedmont Community College (1715 College Drive, Roxboro, NC 27574) in S100 (check out the campus map here).
- Ask questions! Let Microsoft know you expect transparency & a say over the decisions that affect your bills, land, and water. This meeting was not on the Person County Microsoft blog that they created and directed local residents to for updates. Why?
- You can always email your thoughts on this to Person County commissioners or Roxboro City Council.
- You can send your questions (and thoughts!) to the email Microsoft has created PersonDC@microsoft.com or leave a message at 980-776-2251
Upcoming Events
- Community meeting Microsoft is hosting: 4-7pm Tuesday, June 30– NEW LOCATION: Piedmont Community College (1715 College Drive, Roxboro, NC 27574) in S100 (check out the campus map here).
- Ask questions! Let Microsoft know you expect transparency & a say over the decisions that affect your bills, land, and water. This meeting was not on the Person County Microsoft blog that they created and directed local residents to for updates. Why?
- Share this event on Facebook
Data Center Concerns
Microsoft plans to construct a data center. The data center boom in North Carolina is being driven by companies investing in artificial intelligence tools.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? AI performs complex tasks normally handled by humans.
- Data centers employ very few people and can even take jobs away. Learn more in our new report: Build Before the Bubble Bursts: Understanding the Business Model Behind the Data Center Center Boom in NC
- Data center investments are risky. Financial experts are starting to warn of an AI bubble, similar to the dot com crash in the 2000s, or the 2008 crash of the housing market. It seems like the bubble is still inflating, and developers are still proposing data centers anywhere they can . There is a risk of overbuilding, and data centers being abandoned when the bubble pops or new, more efficient technology is adopted.
- They consume tons of energy and strain local water supplies.
- Backup generators release harmful chemicals into the air that can harm heart and lung health..
- Data centers are LOUD, run 24/7, and range from 55-85 decibels (vacuum cleaner or lawn mower).
- High electric bills. Rising electricity costs are linked to new infrastructure needed for AI data centers, contributing to electricity bills increasing 2x faster than inflation.
Spread the Word!
Share information on social media:
- Follow us on Facebook for events you can share
- Instagram: follow us @cleanwaternc for updates!
- Share the letter: Person County Needs Answers from Microsoft
Resources to educate neighbors:
- Microsoft’s Person County blog– Microsoft says they will share updates here, although the community meeting was not shared and there are no updates since April 2026.
- Flyer + talking points from the electricity rate hike hearing in Roxboro. Useful info on Microsoft’s impact on electric bills.
- New Report: Build Before the Bubble Bursts: Understanding the Business Model Behind the Data Center Boom in North Carolina
- Article on Person County residents’ quest for answers from WRAL
- The Data Center that Didn’t Exist– The Assembly article on the non-disclosure agreement between Person County & Microsoft for this site.
- Check out the basic map below, showing the location of the future Microsoft Data Center
