Microsoft has purchased a further 37 acres of land in Licking County, Ohio, continuing to expand its data center footprint in the region. The land is located within Pataskala and was acquired for around USD 6.65 million.

The acquisition brings Microsoft's land holdings in Licking County to more than 700 acres. The new parcels are located on Refugee Road, the same corridor where the company made two earlier purchases.

Microsoft's Pataskala land purchases lack project confirmation

In November 2023, Microsoft reportedly acquired 289 acres on Refugee Road in Pataskala, later adding a further 40 acres in December 2024, though at the time it did not confirm whether those purchases were for a data center project.

No data center project is currently listed for Pataskala on Microsoft's website.

A return to Ohio after a paused investment

The company's renewed activity in Licking County follows a period of uncertainty. In April 2025, Microsoft said it was no longer moving forward with plans to invest USD 1 billion in three data center campuses in New Albany, Heath, and Hebron, Ohio.

At the time, the company said it would "continue to evaluate these sites in line with our investment strategy" and would revisit the project at an unspecified point in the future.

Construction progresses across the three campuses

Microsoft previously purchased 227 acres along Thornwood Drive in Heath and 223 acres on High Street in Hebron. According to the company's project update pages, work at the Heath site in July 2026 focused on safety, water management, and site preparations for future buildings, with work on the substation also set to begin.

The Hebron campus was at a similar stage of development in July, while the New Albany site was said to be nearing completion of construction activities being undertaken by Ames Construction.

In a statement, the company said, "Limited construction activities may continue through the summer as remaining work is completed, and future development phases are planned. Microsoft will continue serving as the primary point of contact for community questions and updates moving forward."

All three campuses aim to be online by 2029.

Pataskala's position in the region

Pataskala sits between New Albany and Heath and Hebron, placing Microsoft's newest land holding within the geographic span of its existing Ohio data center investment. While the company has not announced a project for the city, the purchase continues a pattern of acquisitions on Refugee Road that began in November 2023.

With the latest deal, Microsoft's cumulative land holdings in Licking County now exceed 700 acres, spanning Pataskala, Heath, Hebron, and New Albany.

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