Microsoft recently produced a short video highlighting the presence of the technology industry in the rural town of Quincy, WA. In the past eight years since the data centers came to town, Grant county has successfully created an infrastructure that is usually only found in larger metropolitan cities like Seattle and Portland. Quincy is a prime example of a city capable of housing big industry while stimulating their community’s economy and maintaining their small town charm.

Like many other eastern Washington communities, agriculture was the main producer of capital for Quincy until the development and implementation of data centers, “server farms” where larger technology corporations host cloud information. Quincy is currently home to 6 data centers, employing over 400 people.

The state of Washington has created tax policies that incentivize businesses to move to rural areas, which in turn have large, lasting impacts on the community. As the data centers were being built, 1000 construction workers inhabited the town, employing hundreds of locals and bringing in others who stayed at local hotels, ate at local restaurants, and shopped at local stores.

“It’s all about growing jobs, which then returns people to the local economies and it makes the coffee shop down the street sell a few more coffees,” said Washington State Representative, Larry Springer.

Additional benefits from bringing to tech to the country include lower property taxes for businesses and residents, growth of union membership and across the board collaboration from unsuspecting industries. “You don’t often see environmental groups, business and labor agree on much of anything,” said Springer. “This is something that is good for the community.”

To watch the video, click here: