By Jordan Wilcox
Assistant Publisher
Over the past few months, the Microsoft Corporation has been engaging in some major real estate transactions in West Michigan.
This first began when the company purchased a 316-acre parcel, located at 4450 76th Street, Byron Center in Gaines Township, from Steelcase for $45.3 million.
Then, just last week, Microsoft purchased two more parcels in Dorr Township. One along 144th Street, and the other at 4450 76th St SW. Both are near US-131 and contain a total of 272 acres.
When asked for comment on why, a Microsoft spokesperson told WOOD-TV 8 the following, “Th 316-acre site was identified in collaboration with The Right Place as part of our ongoing search for development opportunities in the Michigan market. While project plans, capital investment, and potential employee numbers are yet to be finalized, we will provide updates as information becomes available.”
The Right Place President and CEO, Randy Thelen, clarified their reasons to WOOD-TV 8, by stating, “The opportunity ahead with Microsoft fits into our 10-year tech strategy to develop the Greater Grand Rapids region into a leading tech hub in the Midwest. With one of the leading tech companies in the world taking notice, we’re well on our way there.”
Dorr Township supervisor, Jeff Milling, told WWMT News Channel 3, that he believes access to resources was what drew the company to Allegan County.
“They were looking for a large piece of property that had sewer and water and the utilities they needed to make a data center.”
He also said that Microsoft’s acquisition was one of the largest single-use land purchases in township history, and while business is already coming into town at a steady pace, it’s tough to let so much farmland go all at once.
