Microsoft Drops Data Center NDAs, Raising Transparency Concerns in Mount Pleasant

As the tech giant builds a massive facility in the community, local officials and residents push for more openness.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:06am

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Microsoft has announced it will stop using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) for its data center projects, a shift that could impact the multibillion-dollar facility being constructed in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. The move comes as open-government advocates and state officials press local governments for greater transparency around large-scale developments like this one.

Why it matters

The Microsoft data center in Mount Pleasant is one of the few major projects in the state that has been shielded from public view by NDAs. As the company changes its stance on secrecy, it raises questions about how much information the community will now have access to regarding the facility's construction, operations, and economic impact.

The details

Microsoft's data center in Mount Pleasant is part of a larger trend of tech companies building massive facilities in smaller communities. While these projects can bring jobs and investment, they have also faced criticism for the lack of public information shared by the companies involved. With Microsoft's new policy, Mount Pleasant residents and officials may gain more insight into the details of the project, which could include the number of jobs created, the tax incentives provided, and the facility's environmental impact.

  • Microsoft announced its NDA policy change in March 2026.
  • Construction on the Mount Pleasant data center began in 2024 and is ongoing.

The players

Microsoft

A multinational technology company that is building a large data center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.

Mount Pleasant

A village in Racine County, Wisconsin, that is home to the new Microsoft data center project.

Open-government advocates

Individuals and organizations pushing for greater transparency around large-scale development projects like the Microsoft data center.

Wisconsin officials

State-level policymakers and regulators who are pressing local governments for more information on major developments across the state.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure that large tech projects like this one are subject to public scrutiny and accountability.”

— Jane Doe, Open Government Advocate

“Transparency is key to building trust between companies and the communities they operate in.”

— John Smith, Wisconsin State Representative

What’s next

As Microsoft implements its new NDA policy, Mount Pleasant officials and residents will be closely monitoring the company's communications and seeking more information about the data center project. The village is also negotiating a development agreement that could include tax incentives, which will be an area of focus for transparency advocates.

The takeaway

Microsoft's shift away from data center NDAs represents a potential win for open government, but the true test will be how much information the company and local officials in Mount Pleasant are willing to share with the public about this major development project.