Microsoft has been promoting itself as a "good neighbour" when building data centres in new communities, pledging to support local schools, hospitals, and community needs. However, when local community groups and congregations in Indiana directly asked the company about meaningful investment to address healthcare, childcare, elder care, transportation and affordable housing shortages, Microsoft offered only $1 million in one-time nonprofit donations. This has sparked criticism that the company's charitable rhetoric does not match its actual commitment to the communities hosting its operations.

The disparity is particularly stark given the substantial tax breaks that data centre developers receive from state governments. Georgia, for example, gave up $474 million in sales taxes in one year but received only $41 million back from the industry, despite the state's own estimate that 70 per cent of data centre construction would have happened anyway. In Indiana, data centre equipment purchases can be exempted from the state's 7 per cent sales tax—potentially affecting $13.2 billion in projected purchases—with exemptions lasting up to 50 years. Community groups like We Make Indiana argue that Microsoft's $1 million commitment is not proportionate to the tax savings and improved profit margins the company will gain from operating its data centre facilities.