Microsoft’s $3B ‘Infinite Campus’ Data Center Breaks Ground in Virginia
A new $3 billion data center, dubbed the 'VA1 campus', is set to transform Caroline County, Virginia. The project, announced by Microsoft, marks the largest economic investment in the county's history. Groundbreaking for the 'infinite campus' took place on Thursday, with officials calling it a major milestone for the region.
The facility will focus on high-demand computing and include measures to reduce environmental impact. Design features include 'closed-loop cooling systems' to cut water use and 'land conservation efforts'. These steps come as data centers in northern Virginia consumed nearly 2 billion gallons of water in 2023—a 63% rise since 2019. Loudoun County alone accounted for about 900 million gallons of that total.
State leaders celebrated the project's economic and technological significance. Governor Glenn Youngkin declared Virginia the 'data center capital of the world' and praised the investment. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura called it proof of Virginia's growing influence in the global tech sector. Meanwhile, CleanArc Data Centers Founder and CEO James Trout described the groundbreaking as a key moment for both the company and northern Virginia.
The project is expected to create around 50 jobs in the area. Officials highlighted its role in reinforcing Virginia's position as a hub for data infrastructure and innovation.
The 'VA1 campus' will bring advanced computing capabilities to Caroline County while addressing 'water conservation concerns'. With construction now underway, the $3 billion investment underscores Virginia's expanding role in the tech industry. The facility's completion will add to the state's already substantial 'data center footprint'.
