Microsoft brings $1.1 billion data center to Iowa

DES MOINES – Plans were unveiled Friday indicating computer giant Microsoft has selected West Des Moines as the site for a $1.1 billion regional data center to be built in four phases.

Details of Project Alluvion were made public during the state Economic Development Authority's monthly board meeting indicating the company based in Redmond, Calif., plans to create up to 84 jobs on a 154-acre site at a projected cost of $1.126 billion. Most of the jobs would pay $24.32 an hour.

State officials are being asked to provide $20.3 million in investment, research and sales tax credits and refunds for the project. That would accompany local grants, road and infrastructure improvements, along with water, power and sanitary sewer provisions as part of $60.1 million in indirect project contributions that would be offset by property tax and other benefits, according to EDA documents.

From the state level, Microsoft has to create 84 jobs by full build out, 66 of which must have a wage of $24.32 an hour. That wage is 120 percent of Polk County's qualifying wage threshold.

More details were to be presented at a news conference held by West Des Moines officials and Gov. Terry Branstad.