Data center profile · Conover (Lyle Creek), Newton/Hickory (Stover North) and Maiden (Boyd Farm), Catawba County, North Carolina

Microsoft Catawba County

Microsoft's three-site campus in Conover, Newton and Maiden, North Carolina: about 720 MW of IT planned (analyst estimate), restarted after a 2025 pause.

Building, restarted. Microsoft reports the first Lyle Creek building exterior nearly finished in Sept. 2026; satellite monitoring saw construction restart in early 2026 after a pause from around spring 2025. The county ended its 2022 tax-incentive deal on Aug. 3, 2026.
The campus, Satellite image, Feb. 10, 2026
~720 MW
IT capacity, analyst estimate
15 buildings x 48 MW across three sites; ~810 MW if counted by generator nameplate; Microsoft has not published MW
$1B+
minimum investment announced in 2022
four data centers over 10 years; building permits reported above $900M by Aug. 2026 (press)
Aug. 3, 2026
county incentive deal terminated
no incentives were ever requested or paid; sites pay full property tax
15
data-center buildings planned, five per site
Army Corps notices and Duke substations; Microsoft updates show building 1 at Lyle Creek nearly enclosed
OperatorMicrosoft (owner-occupied)
CustomerMicrosoft's own cloud (no outside tenant)
Planned IT capacity720 MW at full build-out (company IT figure)
First building in serviceOur estimate: 2027 (range 2026 to 2028); company says 2028.
Next deadline2027: Duke Energy's large-load tariff would take effect for new service if the state commission accepts the Oct. 6, 2026 settlement
From orbit

The site from above

Satellite overview1
Satellite image, Feb. 10, 2026. Pin: Lyle Creek / Project Agate campus plateau, pads + switch station, no roofs yet.
From orbit

Lyle Creek / Project Agate campus plateau

Views of the same ground from above on March 21, 2022 and Feb. 10, 2026. Drag to compare.

after
before
◀ Aerial photo, March 21, 2022Satellite image, Feb. 10, 2026 ▶
From orbit

The latest view

Latest clear view, Oct. 14, 2026. It comes from a lower-resolution satellite (10 m pixels), so buildings show as blocks of color, not detail. What we count on the Oct. 14, 2026 image:

The latest view
Lower-resolution satellite image, Oct. 14, 2026
Power

Power and the grid

Sources on record, size not disclosed
Backup generators (emergency use, not a power supply)

Getting on the grid

Who supplies what, what it costs, and what is still not public.

  1. Feb. 19, 2026
    Substation work seen at restart
    Satellite monitoring in Jan. and Feb. 2026 shows substation progress and grading at Boyd Farm and Stover North. News report · Feb. 2026
  2. Oct. 2026
    Switch station and 100 kV line permits active
    State construction stormwater coverage is active for a Lyle Creek switch station, a 100 kV line and a Boyd 230 kV substation. State agency · Oct. 2026
  3. Oct. 6, 2026
    Duke's large-load tariff settlement filed
    Microsoft, Amazon and Google sign a settlement with Duke setting 15-year minimum terms and a 75% minimum bill for loads of 100 MW or more; the commission has not yet accepted it. Utility regulator · Oct. 2026
  4. Not set
    Electric service agreement: not public
    No site-specific service agreement or contract demand for any Catawba site is public. Utility regulator · Oct. 2026

What is next door

campus8.09 km · gas pipeline15.60 km · 345 kV+ linecampus8.09 km · gas pipeline15.60 km · 345 kV+ line

Distances from mapped lines and plants. OpenStreetMap · Oct. 2026

Permits

Permits checklist

3 pending · 2 granted · 1 checked, nothing on file

Risks

What could slow it down

Money

Money on record

$1B minimum
investment floor in the 2022 agreement
$332M per city plus $33M for Hickory's second site; agreement now terminated News report · Nov. 2022
$0
incentives ever requested or paid
county exposure is zero; Microsoft cited its Community-First AI Infrastructure plan Local government · Oct. 2026
50% / 85%
grants originally offered on real and personal property tax value
over 10 years, paid only after performance (press) News report · Nov. 2022
$900M+
building permits reported after the restart
press only, Aug. 2026 News report · Oct. 2026
$50M to $450M
yearly state sales-tax exemptions for data centers, today vs. full pipeline
statewide, per Governor's memo, not this campus State agency · April 2026
$7.5M
Lyle Creek land purchase
Lyle Creek Preserve LLC to Microsoft, recorded Dec. 2022 (county deed records) County deed records · Dec. 2022
$18.6M
paid for 440+ acres in the first months after the 2022 announcement (press)
News report · Dec. 2022
Land assembly

10 recorded land documents for the campus company in county records (Nov. 2022 to Feb. 2023); 7 list a price. 3 related-party transfers are shown greyed. Parcel counts come from the deed; acreage is not recorded.

Timeline

What happened, and what is due

SitePaper trailConstructionPowerPermitsMoneyLegalUpcoming
  1. Nov. 9, 2022
    Money Microsoft announces a $1B minimum, four-data-center plan; county and three towns approve incentive agreements News report · Nov. 2022
  2. Dec. 19, 2022
    Money Microsoft buys the Lyle Creek site on N.C. 16 for $7.5M from Lyle Creek Preserve LLC (county deed records) County deed records · Dec. 2022
  3. Jan. 20, 2023
    Money Microsoft records a land purchase from Catawba County Property Development on Northern Drive in Hickory, price not recorded (county deed records) County deed records · Jan. 2023
  4. June 1, 2023
    Permits Army Corps notices the Lyle Creek wetlands application State agency · June 2023
  5. July 24, 2023
    Permits Army Corps notices the Stover North wetlands application State agency · July 2023
  6. July 1, 2024
    Construction Construction begins at the Stover site, with Ames Construction doing site work Company · Oct. 2024
  7. April 1, 2025
    Construction Microsoft signals it is slowing or pausing some data center builds; satellite shows little activity at all three sites from about Q2 2025 (analyst) News report · Feb. 2026
  8. Jan. 13, 2026
    Money Microsoft announces its Community-First plan: pay its own power costs and full local property taxes (press) News report · Jan. 2026
  9. Feb. 19, 2026
    Construction Satellite monitoring shows simultaneous restart at Lyle Creek, Boyd Farm and Stover North (analyst) News report · Feb. 2026
  10. June 23, 2026
    Money County, towns and Microsoft say the sites will pay full property taxes and the local agreements are being amended Local government · June 2026
  11. Aug. 3, 2026
    Money County commissioners unanimously approve ending the 2022 incentive agreement; no incentives had been paid Local government · Aug. 2026
  12. Sept. 1, 2026
    Construction Microsoft reports the first Lyle Creek building exterior in final stages, with interior mechanical and electrical work begun Company · Sept. 2026
  13. Oct. 6, 2026
    Power Microsoft joins a Duke Energy large-load tariff settlement filed with the state commission Utility regulator · Oct. 2026
  14. 2027
    Power Duke's large-load tariff would apply to new service from this date if approved Utility regulator · Oct. 2026
Construction activity

Building activity by quarter

Since Feb. 2026: 1 FAA filing (June 2026): an 111 ft crane; 2 satellite captures.

FAA filings
Satellite
’26
Dot size: records in the quarter, largest = 1. Two-digit years mark each first quarter.
The buildings

Specs

219 + 292 + 160 acres
Conover, Maiden and Newton/Hickory sites as announced in 2022; plus a 16-acre Tate Blvd. parcel held
News report · Nov. 2022
5 buildings per site
48 MW each, per Army Corps notices (analyst reading)
News report · Feb. 2026
50+ jobs
minimum promised in the 2022 agreement
Local government · Nov. 2022
Who is involved

Owners, partners and builders

Owners
  • Microsoft Corporation: developer, owner and operator of all sites
Builders
  • Whiting-Turner: general contractor, Lyle Creek (from Feb. 2026)
  • Clayco: general contractor, Stover North (from Mar. 2026)
  • Ames Construction and Morgan Corp: 2024 site preparation
Government
  • Catawba County commissioners; cities of Conover and Hickory; Town of Maiden; Catawba County EDC
  • City of Newton hosts the Stover North site
Power
  • Duke Energy Carolinas: utility, building dedicated substations
Analysts cited
  • Aterio: satellite tracker behind the 720/810 MW estimates and the pause and restart dates
Builders on site
  • Whiting-Turner Contracting Company: GC, Lyle Creek (from Feb 2026)
Still unknown

Open questions

Where this comes from

224 records from 39 documents

Drawn from news reports, state agency records, public and commercial datasets, local government records, company statements, securities filings, utility regulator dockets, court filings and satellite captures, each kept with its date and source. The bar shows documents by type.

News report 14State agency 8Dataset 7Local government 4Company 3SEC filing 2Utility regulator 1Court filing 1Satellite 0
Evidence

Every quote behind this page

Grade key: A = the primary record itself (permit, filing, exhibit) · B = a dated official statement · C = news reporting. Map distances are our own measurements on OpenStreetMap and carry no grade. Allegations in lawsuits are marked as such in the quotes.

Power (31)
  • Air facility identity: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, CLT04 AND CLT05 - EPA ECHO air facility, 1723 N. NC HWY 16, Conover, NC 28613; Registry ID 110071667153; NC AFS ID 3701800599; NAICS 518210
    “MICROSOFT CORPORATION, CLT04 AND CLT05; 1723 N; NC HWY 16; CONOVER; NC0000003701800599”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Air classification: CLT04/CLT05 air facility is classified "80% Synthetic Minor Emissions" (CMS category SMI) with status Operating in EPA ECHO (AFS), programs SIP / NSPS / MACT - i.e. Microsoft holds state synthetic-min
    “AIRClassification: 80% Synthetic Minor Emissions; AIRStatus: Operating”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Air facility identity maiden: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, CLT10 - EPA ECHO air facility, NC AFS ID 3701800601, at 35.58751,-81.2306 (Boyd Farms site, Maiden) - a second Microsoft air facility record for the county program
    “MICROSOFT CORPORATION, CLT10; NC0000003701800601”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Stormwater sites: NC construction stormwater (NCG01) coverages name three campus elements: CLT04 LYLE CREEK DATA CENTER (1521 N NC 16 Hwy, Conover - coverage NCC240427), CLT10 BOYD FARMS DATA CENTER (1260 Old Maiden Road
    “CLT04 LYLE CREEK DATA CENTER; NCC240427; 1521 N NC 16 HWY CONOVER; CLT10 BOYD FARMS DATA CENTER; NCC240803”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Construction stormwater general permit coverage (NCG01): active (ECHO-listed)
    “CWPName: LYLE CREEK 100KV; NPDESIDs: NCC242445”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Nearest power line of 345 kV or more: 15.6 km
    Measured on OpenStreetMap map data.
    OpenStreetMap · Oct. 2026
  • Nearest substation of 345 kV or more: none within 16km
    Measured on OpenStreetMap map data.
    OpenStreetMap · Oct. 2026
  • Nearest gas pipeline: 8.09 km
    Measured on OpenStreetMap map data.
    OpenStreetMap · Oct. 2026
  • IT capacity: 720 MW
    “the three-campus development could range from roughly 720MW of critical IT capacity to about 810MW based on generator-backed nameplate estimates”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • On-site generation: 810 MW
    “the three-campus development could range from roughly 720MW of critical IT capacity to about 810MW based on generator-backed nameplate estimates”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • IT capacity: not stated
    “Based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers public notices filed for each campus; each site is planned for five 48 MW data center buildings”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Utility service: not stated
    “This tariff applies to all letter agreements (LA) and electric service agreements (ESA) executed on and after June 1, 2026, for Large Load Customers”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • On-site generation: not stated
    “each building is typically supported by approximately 20 backup generators, implying roughly 54 MW of total nameplate capacity per building”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Power plan: grid
    “each site is planned for five 48 MW data center buildings supported by dedicated Duke Energy substation infrastructure. Lyle Creek is served by two substations; Boyd Farm and Stover North each by one”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Utility: Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
    “supported by dedicated Duke Energy substation infrastructure”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Generally applicable, NOT a campus position: on Oct 7, 2026 Duke Energy's NC utilities reached a large-load settlement with NC Public Staff, Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft (Microsoft is a signatory) requiring ESAs si
    “New customers that consume at least 50 megawatts, including new data centers, will be required to take service under a new "High Load Factor" rate schedule, Duke said.”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • System context only: Duke raised its 2035 large-customer demand forecast for the Carolinas to 8 GW (up 2 GW in a year), driven mostly by data centers, and is using it to justify new generation in the 2025 CPIRP; No campu
    “Duke recently raised its 2035 forecast of electricity demand from large customers to 8 gigawatts in the Carolinas”
    News report · June 2026 · grade C
  • Interconnection status: Duke Energy Carolinas service in construction, via dedicated substations (two serving Lyle Creek, one each for Boyd Farms and Stover North, per Aterio/USACE-notice reporting); buildings under cons
    “each site is planned for five 48 MW data center buildings supported by dedicated Duke Energy substation infrastructure. Lyle Creek is served by two substations”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Stated campus size: 720 MW
    “Low case (Critical IT, filing-supported): ~720 MW (15 buildings x 48 MW)”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Subsite lyle creek buildings planned: 5 buildings
    “each site is planned for five 48 MW data center buildings supported by dedicated Duke Energy substation infrastructure”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Subsite lyle creek substations: 2 substations
    “Lyle Creek is served by two substations; Boyd Farm and Stover North each by one”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Subsite boyd farm buildings planned: 5 buildings
    “each site is planned for five 48 MW data center buildings supported by dedicated Duke Energy substation infrastructure”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Subsite boyd farm substations: 1 substations
    “Lyle Creek is served by two substations; Boyd Farm and Stover North each by one”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Subsite boyd farm stage: site work - substation-level progress and active land grading in the southern portion (satellite, Jan-Feb 2026); no vertical construction reported
    “At Boyd Farm, analysts observed substationlevel progress alongside active land grading in the southern portion of the campus”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Subsite stover buildings planned: 5 buildings
    “each site is planned for five 48 MW data center buildings supported by dedicated Duke Energy substation infrastructure”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Subsite stover substations: 1 substations
    “Lyle Creek is served by two substations; Boyd Farm and Stover North each by one”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Simultaneous re-mobilization detected at Lyle Creek (slab work), Boyd Farm (substation progress, grading) and Stover North (substation advancement) in Jan-Feb 2026 satellite imagery - characterized by Aterio as a coordin
    “Satellite monitoring conducted in January and February 2026 captured simultaneous re-mobilization signals at the Lyle Creek, Boyd Farm, and Stover North campuses”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Aterio high case: ~810 MW generator-backed nameplate for the three permitted campuses (15 buildings x ~54 MW, assuming ~20 backup generators per ~250,000 sq ft 'Ballard' building). Analogy-based estimate, recorded here a
    “High case (generator-backed nameplate): ~810 MW (15 buildings x ~54 MW)”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Moved from campus facts field 'subsite lyle creek mw estimate': 240 MW. Component of mw campus stated (720): 5 buildings x 48 MW estimated critical IT. Do NOT add to the campus row. Estimate only - Microsoft discloses no
    “Low case (Critical IT, filing-supported): ~720 MW (15 buildings x 48 MW)”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Moved from campus facts field 'subsite boyd farm mw estimate': 240 MW. Component of mw campus stated (720): 5 buildings x 48 MW estimated critical IT. Do NOT add to the campus row. Estimate only.
    “Low case (Critical IT, filing-supported): ~720 MW (15 buildings x 48 MW)”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Moved from campus facts field 'subsite stover mw estimate': 240 MW. Component of mw campus stated (720): 5 buildings x 48 MW estimated critical IT. Do NOT add to the campus row. Estimate only.
    “Low case (Critical IT, filing-supported): ~720 MW (15 buildings x 48 MW)”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
Money and contracts (57)
  • Tenant status: owner-occupied
    “the Parties entered into an Economic Development Agreement (the EDA) dated November 9, 2022, wherein Company agreed to create jobs and make improvements to property located in Catawba County”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • economic development agreement: recapture finding FINDING: no recapture/clawback clause located in any public source; the EDA full text was not published. The structure was pay-after-performance, so no public funds were
    “Company has not requested and County has not paid any incentives pursuant to the terms of the EDA (including any incentives under Section 5 of the EDA for the annual economic development incentives grant)”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • electric service agreement: not disclosed finding FINDING: no site-specific ESA, letter agreement, or contract demand for any Catawba sub-site is public. Dedicated substations are under construction at three sub-sites, i
    “An ESA that is initially executed prior to June 1, 2026 that is subsequently renewed, extended or assigned pursuant to the terms of the ESA shall not be subject to this tariff”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: applicability Applies to LAs/ESAs executed on or after June 1, 2026 for Large Load Customers: 50 MW or more at 80% or more expected 12-month rolling load factor, or 150 MW or more at any load
    “Large Load Customers are defined as customers served at either a single premises, or at multiple premises within one mile of each other”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: dedicated facilities Customer advances funds equal to estimated total cost of dedicated facilities (e.g. its substation) as CIAC within 60 days of letter agreement execution, and covers actu
    “The customer will provide advanced funds equal to the estimated total cost of Dedicated Facilities as a contribution in aid of construction (CIAC), within 60 days of execution of the LA”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: network upgrade security Letter of credit equal to estimated cost of transmission network upgrades within 60 days of ESA execution; reduced ratably once per year after customer meets or exce
    “The customer will provide a deposit in the form of a letter of credit equal to the estimated total cost of transmission network upgrades necessary to serve the customer load (Network Upgrades) within 60 days of execution of the ESA”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: contract term ESAs of 100 MW or more: minimum initial term is the greater of 15 years or 10 years plus the load ramp period; below 100 MW: greater of 10 years or 5 years plus ramp. Automatic
    “The minimum initial contract term for ESAs of 100 MW or more will be the greater of (a) 15 years and (b) 10 years plus the load ramp period”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: minimum billing demand 75 % of contract demand (all demand charges, Schedule HLF)
    “Billing demand will not be less than 75% of contract demand for all demand charges in Schedule HLF”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: termination notice 24 months below 250 MW; 36 months at 250-499 MW; 48 months at 500 MW or more (applies to early termination and to contract demand reductions)
    “Below 250 MW: 24 months; Between 250 MW and 499 MW: 36 months; 500 MW or more: 48 months”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: liquidated damages termination 100% of minimum billing demand charges and Extra Facilities Charges during the notification period, plus NPV of remaining Extra Facilities Charges after the no
    “Liquidated damages for early termination arising from customer notification and/or customer default will be equal to (1) 100% of minimum billing demand charges at the customer's annual contract demand and Extra Facilities Charges during the applicable notification period”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: security Customer must post security equal to the applicable early-termination liquidated damages, as cash, letter of credit or parent guarantee
    “The customer must provide security equal to the applicable liquidated damages for early termination in the form of cash, letter of credit or parent guarantee, or a combination thereof”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: reliability curtailment During load ramp plus one year: interruptibility of 95% of contract load up to 50 hours/year, or 50% up to 100 hours/year, max 6 hours/day, uncompensated (or a Commis
    “Interruptibility of 95% of contract load for up to 50 hours per year for the load ramp period plus one year of service”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: demand reduction right After the 6th anniversary of initial service, customer may reduce contract demand by up to 20% (no more than 200 MW) one time without liquidated damages
    “After the 6th anniversary of initial provision of service, the customer may provide notice to reduce contract demand by up to 20% but no greater than 200 MW, one time, without incurring liquidated damages”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • large load tariff settlement: status condition Filed Oct. 6, 2026; binding on the stipulating parties only if the NCUC accepts it in its entirety; tariff effective for service on and after Jan. 1, 2027 if approved; Duke expe
    “no portion of this Settlement is or will be binding on any of the Stipulating Parties unless the entire Settlement is accepted by the Commission”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Incentives status: terminated Aug. 3, 2026 (county EDA); $0 incentives ever requested or paid; sites now pay full-value property taxes
    “Company has not requested and County has not paid any incentives pursuant to the terms of the EDA”
    Local government · Aug. 2026 · grade A
  • economic development agreement: scope Phased development of four datacenters in Catawba County (Conover, Hickory, Maiden) over 10 years
    “the Parties entered into an Economic Development Agreement (the EDA) dated November 9, 2022, wherein Company agreed to create jobs and make improvements to property located in Catawba County in return for certain economic incentives offered by the County”
    Local government · Aug. 2026 · grade A
  • termination agreement: termination EDA terminated and of no further force or effect; both parties completely and finally released from any obligation of performance, past, present or future, under the EDA
    “Upon the Effective Date of this Agreement, the EDA shall be terminated and shall be of no further force or effect, with County and Company each being completely and finally released from any obligation of performance”
    Local government · Aug. 2026 · grade A
  • termination agreement: release Mutual general releases of all claims arising out of or relating to the EDA, including unknown claims
    “the Parties, on behalf of themselves, their present and former parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, assigns, and other related persons or entities (collectively, Releasors), hereby release, waive, and forever discharge each other”
    Local government · Aug. 2026 · grade A
  • termination agreement: incentives paid 0 USD
    “Company has not requested and County has not paid any incentives pursuant to the terms of the EDA”
    Local government · Aug. 2026 · grade A
  • termination agreement: scope carveout Termination does not modify or amend any other agreement between the parties (Section 5)
    “Except for the termination of the EDA as set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement modifies or amends any other agreement between the Parties”
    Local government · Aug. 2026 · grade A
  • County EDA terminated by mutual agreement (unanimous BOC approval); the termination agreement confirms no incentives were ever requested or paid, so the county's exposure is zero and there is nothing to claw back. Munici
    “Company has not requested and County has not paid any incentives pursuant to the terms of the EDA”
    Local government · Aug. 2026 · grade A
  • Tenants: Microsoft (owner-occupied, own cloud/Azure campus)
    “The datacenters will be located in Conover, Hickory and Maiden and will create at least 50 new jobs”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • state tax exemption: scope Sales/use tax exemption for electricity used at a qualifying datacenter and for datacenter support equipment (G.S. 105-164.13(55a)); qualifying datacenter requires a Commerce determination of a
    “Sales of electricity for use at a qualifying datacenter and datacenter support equipment to be located and used at the qualifying datacenter”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • state tax exemption: recapture If the required investment level is not timely made, the exemption is forfeited and the taxpayer is liable for all past taxes avoided plus interest
    “If the level of investment required by G.S. 105-164.3(201) is not timely made, the exemption provided under this subdivision is forfeited”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Catawba County's draft UDO rewrite would make 'Data Center' a conditional-district use in county industrial districts - the county's first data-center-specific rulebook. It does not govern Microsoft's municipal sites, bu
    “Data Center CD CD CD”
    Local government · Sept. 2026 · grade B
  • termination agreement: condition reason Microsoft foregoes the EDA incentives in furtherance of its Community-First AI Infrastructure Plan; sites will pay property taxes on full value
    “Microsoft's sites in Catawba County will pay property taxes based on the full value of the buildings, equipment, and infrastructure located on site. The local agreements pursuant to this project are currently being amended to reflect this initiative”
    Local government · June 2026 · grade B
  • Joint statement by Catawba County, Conover, Hickory, Maiden and the EDC: Microsoft's Catawba sites will pay property taxes on the full value of buildings, equipment and infrastructure; the local agreements are being amen
    “The local agreements pursuant to this project are currently being amended to reflect this initiative”
    Local government · June 2026 · grade B
  • Subsite stover gc: Clayco (from Mar 2026); Ames Construction Company (2024 site prep)
    “As of March 2026, our general contractor is Clayco”
    Company · March 2026 · grade B
  • Subsite lyle creek gc: Whiting-Turner (from Feb 2026); Morgan Corp (2024 site prep)
    “As of February 2026, our general contractor is Whiting-Turner”
    Company · Feb. 2026 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD
    “Recorded: Sept. 5, 2023 · Grantor: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Parcel number: 3742-07-69-8666 · Address: 1723 N NC 16 HWY · City: CONOVER”
    County deed records · Sept. 2023 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD
    “Recorded: Sept. 5, 2023 · Grantor: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Address: 000 ADDRESS EXCEPTION · City: CITY EXCEPTION”
    County deed records · Sept. 2023 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD
    “Recorded: Sept. 5, 2023 · Grantor: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Address: 000 ADDRESS EXCEPTION · City: CITY EXCEPTION”
    County deed records · Sept. 2023 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD
    “Recorded: Feb. 28, 2023 · Grantor: CATAWBA COUNTY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Parcel number: 3742-06-38-9322 · Address: 172 NORTHERN DR NW · City: CONOVER”
    County deed records · Feb. 2023 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD
    “Recorded: Jan. 20, 2023 · Grantor: CATAWBA COUNTY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Parcel number: 3742-06-38-9322 · Address: 172 NORTHERN DR NW · City: CONOVER”
    County deed records · Jan. 2023 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value 5758500 USD
    “Recorded: Jan. 19, 2023 · Price: $5,758,500 · Grantor: BOYD FARMS INCORPORATED · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Address: 000 ADDRESS EXCEPTION · City: CITY EXCEPTION”
    County deed records · Jan. 2023 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value 322500 USD
    “Recorded: Jan. 10, 2023 · Price: $322,500 · Grantor: TRI CITY BAPTIST CHURCH OF NC · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Parcel number: 3742-06-47-9539 · Address: 1409 N NC 16 HWY · City: CONOVER”
    County deed records · Jan. 2023 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value 7495500 USD
    “Recorded: Dec. 19, 2022 · Price: $7,495,500 · Grantor: LYLE CREEK PRESERVE LLC · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Parcel number: 3742-07-69-8666 · Address: 1723 N NC 16 HWY · City: CONOVER”
    County deed records · Dec. 2022 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value 3727000 USD
    “Recorded: Dec. 19, 2022 · Price: $3,727,000 · Grantor: CLONINGER · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Address: 000 ADDRESS EXCEPTION · City: CITY EXCEPTION”
    County deed records · Dec. 2022 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value USD
    “Recorded: Dec. 19, 2022 · Grantor: CLONINGER · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Address: 000 ADDRESS EXCEPTION · City: CITY EXCEPTION”
    County deed records · Dec. 2022 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value 836000 USD
    “Recorded: Nov. 18, 2022 · Price: $836,000 · Grantor: BACH · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Parcel number: 3722-14-34-9561 · Address: TATE BLVD SE · City: HICKORY”
    County deed records · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value 1377500 USD
    “Recorded: Nov. 18, 2022 · Price: $1,377,500 · Grantor: BACH · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Address: 000 ADDRESS EXCEPTION · City: CITY EXCEPTION”
    County deed records · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • Land purchase (recorded deed): contract value 5116500 USD
    “Recorded: Nov. 18, 2022 · Price: $5,116,500 · Grantor: WYANT · Grantee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION · Address: 000 ADDRESS EXCEPTION · City: CITY EXCEPTION”
    County deed records · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • Name: Microsoft Catawba County
    “Microsoft Corp. plans to invest a minimum of $1 billion in the phased development of four datacenters in Catawba County over the next 10 years”
    Local government · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • Original target date: not stated
    “plans to invest a minimum of $1 billion in the phased development of four datacenters in Catawba County over the next 10 years”
    Local government · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • Stated capital cost: 1000000000 USD
    “Microsoft Corp. plans to invest a minimum of $1 billion in the phased development of four datacenters in Catawba County over the next 10 years”
    Local government · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • economic development agreement: investment floor 1000000000 USD minimum over 10 years
    “Microsoft Corp. plans to invest a minimum of $1 billion in the phased development of four datacenters in Catawba County over the next 10 years”
    Local government · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • economic development agreement: jobs floor 50 permanent jobs (program-wide)
    “The datacenters will be located in Conover, Hickory and Maiden and will create at least 50 new jobs”
    Local government · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • Financing: self-funded (Microsoft balance sheet); no project-level financing disclosed
    “Company is engaged in developing technologybased facilities and intends to continue developing technologybased facilities in Catawba County”
    Local government · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • termination agreement: termination status municipal FINDING: as of Aug 2026 the municipal agreements were being amended/terminated in parallel (county joint statement Jun 23, 2026 says agreements 'currently being amended
    “Related municipal agreements have also moved toward termination or release”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Acres acquired by deed: 440 acres
    “Microsoft has acquired over 440 acres in Catawba County since last month. The land was purchased for a total of nearly $18.6 million”
    News report · Dec. 2022 · grade C
  • Subsite tate blvd acres: 16 acres
    “The company also bought a nearly 16-acre site off Tate Boulevard for $836,000, real estate records show. Those were the announced sites of Projects Pine and Star”
    News report · Dec. 2022 · grade C
  • Code name pine mapping: Project Pine = the 160-acre Hickory-Lincolnton Hwy site, i.e. the parcel Microsoft now calls Stover (CLT 17)
    “Microsoft has acquired an approximately 160-acre site off Hickory Lincolnton Highway, and west of Highway 321, for nearly $6.5 million. Those were the announced sites of Projects Pine and Star, which called for a $365 million investment”
    News report · Dec. 2022 · grade C
  • economic development agreement: investment floor municipal 332000000 per municipality (Conover, Hickory, Maiden) plus 33000000 additional for Hickory's second site USD
    “Microsoft has to spend a guaranteed $1 billion minimum investment in the County, with $332 million in each municipality, plus an additional $33 million for a second site, all over the next decade”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • economic development agreement: incentive grant Performance grants equal to 50% of real property tax value and 85% of personal property tax value, over 10 years
    “Leaders from the three cities agreed to approve incentive grants equating to 50 percent real property tax value, plus 85 percent personal property tax value”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • economic development agreement: performance condition Grants awarded only after Microsoft proves it met the performance requirements (investment floors); no payment in advance of performance
    “The incentives will be awarded only after Microsoft proves it met performance requirements of the deal”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • economic development agreement: scope municipal Parallel municipal economic development agreements approved at the same Nov 9, 2022 joint meeting by the Conover, Hickory and Maiden councils
    “Economic development agreements and incentive grants for the project were approved at a joint meeting today by the Catawba County Board of Commissioners and the elected councils of Conover, Hickory and Maiden”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • land sale: scope Sale of the NCDataCampus site (part of the Conover / Lyle Creek parcel) approved at the Nov 9, 2022 joint meeting
    “Additionally, the Catawba County Property Development Corporation board approved the sale of the NCDataCampus site during the meeting”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
Permits and government (24)
  • Construction stormwater general permit coverage (NCG01): active (ECHO-listed)
    “CWPName: CLT04 LYLE CREEK DATA CENTER; NPDESIDs: NCC240427; MasterExternalPermitNmbr: NCG010000”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Construction stormwater general permit coverage (NCG01): active (ECHO-listed)
    “CWPName: CLT10 BOYD FARMS DATA CENTER; NPDESIDs: NCC240803; MasterExternalPermitNmbr: NCG010000”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Construction stormwater general permit coverage (NCG01): active (ECHO-listed)
    “CWPName: LYLE CREEK SW STATION; NPDESIDs: NCC241292; MasterExternalPermitNmbr: NCG010000”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Construction stormwater general permit coverage (NCG01): active (ECHO-listed)
    “CWPName: BOYD SW / OLIVER 230 KV; NPDESIDs: NCC242402; MasterExternalPermitNmbr: NCG010000”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Duke Energy Large Load Tariff settlement filed at the NCUC (E-7 Sub 1329 / E-2 Sub 1380) with Microsoft as a stipulating party: 75% minimum billing demand, 15-year-plus terms for 100 MW+ ESAs, upfront CIAC and LOC securi
    “no portion of this Settlement is or will be binding on any of the Stipulating Parties unless the entire Settlement is accepted by the Commission”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Catawba County Board of Commissioners: Attorney's Report: Microsoft Economic Development Agreement Termination - approval of Mutual Termination and Release Agreement
    “Microsoft Economic Development Agreement Termination”
    Local government · Aug. 2026 · grade A
  • Section 106 / state historic preservation review: Phase I architectural survey filed
    “A PHASE I ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY ASSOCIATED WITH THE APPROXIMATELY 89.72- HECTARE (221.71 ACRE) LYLE CREEK (CLT 04) DATA CENTER SITE IN CATAWBA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA”
    State agency · Nov. 2023 · grade A
  • Clean Water Act Section 404 (individual permit public notice): public notice issued; application received July 11, 2023
    “received an application on July 11, 2023, from Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) seeking Department of the Army authorization to permanently impact 1,826 linear feet (LF) (0.27 acres) of stream channel and 0.032 acre of wetland”
    State agency · July 2023 · grade A
  • Clean Water Act Section 404 (individual permit public notice): public notice issued; application received May 18, 2023
    “received an application on May 18, 2023, from Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) seeking Department of the Army Authorization to permanently impact 889 linear feet (LF) of stream channel and 0.08 acre of wetland”
    State agency · June 2023 · grade A
  • State air quality permit: operating (per EPA ECHO AFS listing)
    “AIRName: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, CLT04 AND CLT05; SourceID NC0000003701800599; AIRClassification: 80% Synthetic Minor Emissions”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • State air quality permit: listed in EPA ECHO AFS
    “AIRName: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, CLT10”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Clean Water Act Section 404: no individual public notice located - negative finding
    “The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) received an application on July 11, 2023, from Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft)”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Land use / zoning: draft ordinance would make Data Center a conditional-district (CD) use in county industrial districts; not adopted as of Oct 2026
    “Data Center CD CD CD”
    Local government · Sept. 2026 · grade B
  • FAA obstruction evaluation (mobile crane): Determined - No Hazard
    “ASN 2026-ASO-8527-OE”
    FAA · June 2026 · grade B
  • FAA OE/AAA filings evidence vertical construction at the Boyd Farms (CLT10) site of Microsoft's Catawba County campus (Maiden NC): a 111-ft mobile crane filed as '1249 - CLT 10', submitted June 29, 2026 at the site; No attr
    “ASN 2026-ASO-8527-OE: 1249 - CLT 10, Mobile Crane, 111 ft AGL, 985 ft AMSL, 35.59109,-81.22938, Determined - No Hazard, submitted 2026-06-29”
    FAA · June 2026 · grade B
  • NC Governor's office memo to the Energy Policy Task Force: NC Commerce estimates data centers receive ~$50M/yr in state sales/use tax exemptions today, rising to ~$450M/yr if the current pipeline is built, plus $1.5-2.3B
    “data centers in North Carolina currently receive roughly $50 million per year in state sales and use tax exemptions and, if the current data center pipeline is built, would receive around $450 million per year”
    State agency · April 2026 · grade B
  • Microsoft community information session (Stover site, Newton): Community information session at the Stover Datacenter Site, Hickory Lincolnton Hwy, Newton (rescheduled from Sep 30, 2024 after hurricane disruption)
    “We have rescheduled the community information session: Monday, October 21, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM at the Stover Datacenter Site, Hickory Lincolnton Hwy, Newton NC”
    Company · Oct. 2024 · grade B
  • Building permits value reported: 900000000 USD
    “Construction slowed and then resumed in 2026 after a reported pause of approximately ten months. Building permits were subsequently reported at more than $900 million”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Air quality permit (diesel backup generators): no permit found - negative finding
    “Amazon applied for and received a state air permit to install 592 diesel-fired emergency generators to provide backup power during electricity outages and contracted with Duke Energy to apply for and receive a separate state air permit”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Catawba County (UDO rewrite process): Informal public drop-in session on the draft Unified Development Ordinance, whose draft land-use table would make Data Center a conditional-district use in county industrial district
    “An informal public drop-in was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, for residents to look at key changes and speak with staff”
    News report · Sept. 2026 · grade C
  • Building permits: permits reported issued; cumulative value over $900M (press-only)
    “Construction slowed and then resumed in 2026 after a reported pause of approximately ten months. Building permits were subsequently reported at more than $900 million”
    News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
  • Microsoft signaled in April 2025 that it was slowing or pausing certain data center builds; Aterio satellite tracking shows the three permitted Catawba campuses had little to no activity from about Q2 2025 until the Jan-
    “sites that had shown little to no activity since approximately Q2 2025”
    News report · Feb. 2026 · grade C
  • Microsoft announces its Community-First AI Infrastructure plan (Brad Smith): pay its own power costs so data centers do not raise residential electricity prices, pay full local property taxes without seeking abatements,
    “Microsoft said it will begin applying the framework in new and expanding US markets in the first half of 2026”
    News report · Jan. 2026 · grade C
  • Joint meeting: Catawba County Board of Commissioners + Conover, Hickory and Maiden councils (+ Catawba County Property Development Corporation): Approval of economic development agreements and incentive grants for Micros
    “Economic development agreements and incentive grants for the project were approved at a joint meeting today by the Catawba County Board of Commissioners and the elected councils of Conover, Hickory and Maiden”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
Legal (3)
  • Federal cases: not stated
    “CourtListener search for "Lyle Creek" returned count 1: MAG Holdings Trust v; M.A.R., C.D”
    Court filing · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Subsite stover location: Newton - Hickory-Lincolnton Hwy / Stover Court (announced Nov 2022 as one of the two Hickory sites)
    “at the Stover Datacenter Site, Hickory Lincolnton Hwy, Newton NC”
    Company · Oct. 2024 · grade B
  • No lawsuit, organized opposition campaign, or moratorium directed at the Catawba campuses was located in this pass - in contrast to Microsoft's Person County, NC site, where a secrecy/records fight is documented. County
    “By that measure, Catawba County has improved the deal. It hasn't yet completed the rulebook”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
Site and other (24)
  • Subsite lyle creek acres: 221.71 acres
    “A PHASE I ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY ASSOCIATED WITH THE APPROXIMATELY 89.72- HECTARE (221.71 ACRE) LYLE CREEK (CLT 04) DATA CENTER SITE IN CATAWBA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA”
    State agency · Nov. 2023 · grade A
  • Subsite stover name: Stover / Stover North Data Center (Microsoft internal code CLT 17)
    “associated with the construction of the Stover North Data Center- CLT 17 (Site) in Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina”
    State agency · July 2023 · grade A
  • Subsite lyle creek name: Project Agate / Lyle Creek Data Center (Microsoft internal code CLT 04)
    “in conjunction with the construction of the Lyle Creek Data Center-CLT 04 (Site), in Conover, Catawba County, North Carolina”
    State agency · June 2023 · grade A
  • Construction stage: building - foundation work in progress, steel installation planned end of June 2026 (May 2026 update)
    “Foundation work is also in progress”
    Company · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • County code: 37035
    “FCC lookups: Lyle Creek anchor 35.730158,-81.203617 -> 37035; Boyd Farms ref 35.5866101,-81.2312071 -> 37035; Stover ref 35.6198052,-81.3207568 -> 37035”
    Dataset · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Stage: building - restarted after 2025 pause
    “Underground work, foundations, and slab installation are complete for several buildings. Steel installation has begun on site, marking the start of above-ground construction”
    Company · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • Construction stage: building
    “The building exterior is in its final stages of completion. Framing and drywall work has started and continues to progress throughout the building. Mechanical and electrical work has begun”
    Company · Sept. 2026 · grade B
  • Subsite lyle creek stage: building - first building exterior in final stages; framing/drywall and M&E underway; further buildings at foundation stage (Sep 2026)
    “Work is also beginning on additional building areas to support upcoming phases of construction”
    Company · Sept. 2026 · grade B
  • Subsite stover stage: building - underground utilities and foundation work in progress; steel installation scheduled from end of June 2026 (May 2026 update)
    “The project remains on track to begin steel structure installation at the end of June, marking the next major phase of construction”
    Company · May 2026 · grade B
  • Developer: Microsoft Corporation
    “Leaders of Catawba County, the Cities of Conover and Hickory, the Town of Maiden, and the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced today that Microsoft Corp. plans to invest”
    Local government · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • Jobs floor: 50 jobs
    “The datacenters will be located in Conover, Hickory and Maiden and will create at least 50 new jobs”
    Local government · Nov. 2022 · grade B
  • Site acres: 219 acres
    “The Conover site will be located on approximately 219 acres north of Conover on NC Hwy 16.”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Site acres: 292 acres
    “The Maiden site will be located on approximately 292 acres north of W. Maiden Rd. and west of Zeb Haynes Rd.”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Site acres: 160 acres
    “The Hickory sites will be located on approximately 160 acres west of US 321 adjacent to Hickory Lincolnton Hwy. and on approximately 16 acres on Tate Blvd.”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Site acres: 16 acres
    “The Hickory sites will be located on approximately 160 acres west of US 321 adjacent to Hickory Lincolnton Hwy. and on approximately 16 acres on Tate Blvd.”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Current target date: not stated
    “Aterio estimates first building activations are unlikely before Q3 2027, with a more realistic expectation of late Q4 2027 to Q1 2028 for initial online capacity”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Subsite tate blvd stage: land held - no construction, building plan, USACE notice or Microsoft construction update found for this parcel as of Oct 2026
    “the Hickory sites (Pine/Star) have no building plan in sources checked”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Acres total announced: 687 acres
    “Microsoft's data centers will take up a combined 687 acres in Catawba County”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • Subsite boyd farm name: Project Yoga / Boyd Farm (Boyd Farms) Data Center
    “This year has seen Microsoft break ground on two other sites in Catawba County in Conover (known as Project Agate or the Lyle Creek data center) and Maiden (known as Project Yoga or the Boyd Farms data center)”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • Subsite tate blvd name: Project Star - Tate Boulevard parcel, Hickory
    “And a second 16-acre site in Hickory on Tate Boulevard”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • Subsite lyle creek location: Conover - north of NC Hwy 16, includes the multi-jurisdictional NCDataCampus site (behind Walmart per local press)
    “The Conover site will be located on approximately 219 acres north of Conover on NC Hwy 16. This location includes the multi-jurisdictional NCDataCampus site”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • Subsite boyd farm location: Maiden - north of W. Maiden Rd and west of Zeb Haynes Rd
    “The Maiden site will be located on approximately 292 acres north of W. Maiden Rd. and west of Zeb Haynes Rd.”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • Subsite boyd farm acres: 292 acres
    “The Maiden site will be located on approximately 292 acres north of W. Maiden Rd. and west of Zeb Haynes Rd.”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C
  • Subsite stover acres: 160 acres
    “The Hickory sites will be located on approximately 160 acres west of US 321 adjacent to Hickory Lincolnton Hwy. and on approximately 16 acres on Tate Blvd.”
    News report · Nov. 2022 · grade C

Imagery and records: Satellite and aerial imagery: Maxar and local aerial photography via Esri World Imagery Wayback; Sentinel-2 (ESA Copernicus). County deeds: ATTOM.