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Microsoft's acquisition of nearly 340 acres in Cherry Valley, Illinois, for a potential data center is facing delays, with construction originally planned for summer 2026 now uncertain due to rising costs and material price fluctuations. The company has invested at least $32.3 million and secured a special use permit, which could lead to the creation of 300 high-tech jobs by 2030 to support Azure cloud services. Currently, the site remains in agricultural use as Microsoft assesses its next steps, including applying for building permits.