Quincy thrived on data centers as Seattle banned them
Quincy, Washington, has experienced significant economic growth over the past 20 years due to data center development, notably from Microsoft. In contrast, Seattle and Spokane have recently implemented bans and moratoriums on data centers, citing concerns about community impact and utility rates. Despite its success, Grant County has capped future data center growth due to potential strain on the local power grid.
While Quincy, Washington, has built a thriving economy over the last two decades with data centers, Seattle and Spokane have moved to ban or implement moratoriums on new facilities. Quincy celebrated the 20th anniversary of Microsoft's first data center, which opened in 2006 on 75.5 acres, leading to at least 26 additional data centers. The town's population has increased by nearly 57%, its poverty rate has halved, and property tax collections in Grant County have soared from $4.24 million in 2006 to $54.27 million in 2025, largely funding new public infrastructure.
In stark contrast, Seattle's council unanimously voted to ban large data centers, and Spokane followed with its own moratorium, with both cities echoing activist concerns about community impact and ratepayer costs. The Washington State Legislature, largely driven by Democrats, also passed new taxes and bans on data center projects, effective July 1, despite Republican arguments highlighting Quincy's economic success.
Even in Quincy's region, growth isn't unconditional; Grant County's public utility district capped future data center expansion in March 2025 due to warnings of potential grid outages and voltage instability, with demand projected to rise significantly. Microsoft, through Brad Smith and CEO Satya Nadella, has pledged to address concerns about electricity rates and water usage for its new AI facilities, claiming they will not drain water supplies or raise local electricity costs.