How Data Centers Lowered Taxes In One Washington Town

Can data centers benefit taxpayers? Leaders in Quincy, Washington say the answer is yes. More than two decades after Microsoft built its first-ever data center in Quincy, local officials say the community has seen dramatic economic growth. According to State Rep. Alex Ybarra, data centers now contribute roughly 57% of the city's tax base, helping fund a new hospital, police station, fire station, schools, roads, water systems, parks, and other public infrastructure without increasing local tax rates. Ybarra also says Quincy's poverty rate has been cut in half while property tax rates have fallen even as home values increased. The interview also addresses concerns surrounding electricity demand, water use, and environmental impacts, with supporters arguing that many commonly cited criticisms do not match Quincy's experience. As Washington lawmakers continue debating data center policy and artificial intelligence infrastructure, Quincy has become a case study in how technology investment can reshape a local economy. Hashtags #DataCenters #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonEconomy #QuincyWA #Microsoft #EconomicDevelopment #Taxpayer #BusinessClimate #Jobs #Infrastructure #WashingtonState #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonNews Video Tags data centers, Quincy Washington, Alex Ybarra, Microsoft data center, artificial intelligence, AI infrastructure, Washington economy, economic development, business climate, taxpayer dollars, property taxes, poverty reduction, jobs, Microsoft, infrastructure, schools, hospital, technology investment, cloud computing, Washington politics, Washington state news, Washington In Focus Daily, The Center Square, Grant County, rural economy