Understanding Microsoft datacenters in Central Washington

Datacenters are part of everyday life

Essential for modern technology, datacenters power everything from online grocery shopping, online banking, and remote work to scheduling medical appointments and staying connected with family and friends. Datacenters also support businesses, hospitals, schools, and governments.

Imagine a building packed with thousands of computer servers and data storage devices, all connected to the internet—that’s a datacenter, working tirelessly to keep our lives connected and efficient.

Datacenters enable innovation and enhance productivity in today’s digital age. Take a virtual step inside.

What impact do datacenters have on the local economy?

According to research provided by the US Chamber of Commerce, local datacenter infrastructure supports and stimulates the development of datacenter and construction jobs, improves local infrastructure via tax revenue, and bolsters other technology companies that support these projects.

Learn key facts about Microsoft’s approach for building and operating datacenters in Central Washington

We believe that companies that can do more, should. That’s why we remain focused on key areas in which technology can and must benefit the future of humanity and our planet.

Aligned with Microsoft’s global commitments, our datacenter community pledge is to build and operate digital infrastructure that addresses community challenges and creates local benefits where we operate and where our employees live and work.

We pledge to…

• Contribute to a sustainable future
• Advance community prosperity and well-being
• Operate responsibly as a good neighbor

We will design and operate our datacenters to become carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030. Additionally, Microsoft pursues LEED Gold certification for newly built datacenters.

Energy

Microsoft has already invested in power purchase agreements (PPAs) to support the Central Washington datacenter and will procure 100% renewable energy coverage globally by 2025.

In Washington, we’re transitioning our datacenters’ backup generators to be powered by a renewable biofuel that reduces net carbon emissions.

Watch this video to learn how Microsoft datacenters are helping pave the way for a sustainable future

Water

Microsoft is committed to being water positive by 2030. We continue to scale our efforts to reduce water use across our operations, while increasing procurement from alternative sources and investing in innovative replenishment and access projects.

The newest Microsoft AI datacenters in Central Washington will use no water for cooling and will require minimal water for employee use. Read more about transforming datacenter water efficiency.

We supported the first water-reuse utility to treat 380 million gallons of datacenter wastewater in Quincy and invested in restoration projects in the Rock Island Creek Watershed, the Columbia Basin, and Grant County.

Watch this video about our other datacenters that use water for cooling.

Waste

Microsoft datacenters in Central Washington and other locations renewed zero-waste certification through the UL’s Zero Waste to Landfill program.

In February 2023, we opened a Microsoft Circular Center at the Quincy datacenter facilities that can process up to 12,000 servers per month.

We will deliver significant local, economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Jobs

By the end of 2026, we project 673 full-time employees and contractors will work across our operational facilities in Central Washington.

Get to know some of the Microsoft datacenter employees in Central Washington

• Matthew Reyes
• Jaymes Kirkham

Skilling opportunities

• Build the skills to work at our Microsoft Central Washington datacenters
• Understanding Microsoft datacenter jobs in your community

Community investments in Central Washington

• Microsoft is developing new datacenters in Malaga and East Wenatchee and expects to be among the largest taxpayers in East Wenatchee and Grant, Douglas, and Chelan Counties once facilities are fully constructed. These taxes support local levies—from emergency services to libraries.
• With Wenatchee Valley College, NCW Tech Alliance, Big Bend Community College, and the Columbia Basin Foundation, we’ve helped to upskill local communities and ensure people have access to IT skills for 21^st-century jobs.
• Central Washington community investments

Watch this video to learn more about our approach to community investments.

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In all we do, Microsoft strives to be a responsible neighbor.

• We listen, learn, build relationships, and follow through on our commitments. Microsoft collaborates with nonprofits and suppliers who share our commitment to expand opportunities for all.
• And to be a good neighbor, we want to keep you in the loop. Visit our Central Washington community blog to stay informed.