Yahoo picks Wenatchee
Company cites fiber network as influential in decision
WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — Internet giant Yahoo Inc. announced plans Thursday to open a data center in this north-central Washington city.
Yahoo signed a $6.23 million, 10-year contract to rent 45,000 square feet of space in a four-level building called the Confluence Technology Center, which opened in May 2004. Yahoo will occupy the building's remaining vacant space.
"This is great news for north-central Washington — really for the whole state," said Mike Mackey, president of the Port of Chelan County Commission. "This is the breakthrough we've been working toward in our campaign to attract information technology companies to the area. Yahoo is a huge first step and we hope their presence here will attract more investment."
Grant County Public Utility District officials said in November Yahoo Inc., was looking to build a new data center facility within the Basin, and wanted a long-term commitment from the PUD for use of the utility's Zipp fiber optic network.
"I think it's good they're coming into the area," said Craig Baldwin, Port of Moses Lake manager, declining to comment further.
The Wenatchee deal remains contingent on negotiation of utility service agreements.
Kevin Timmons, vice president of operations for Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo Inc., said the company was looking forward to becoming an active part of the community.
"We chose north-central Washington for this important facility because of the great quality of life here, the immediate availability of suitable space, the 'can-do' spirit of port and other community leaders we've met, the cost and reliability of electricity, and the access to a world-class fiber optic network," Timmons said. "They've taken all the right steps to create a terrific environment for us."
The Internet communication company offers a variety of online services, from e-mail and a search engine to news, music and video. It will use about one-quarter of the space for offices, and the rest to store, send and receive information, Timmons said.
Yahoo expects to move into the building near the end of 2006, said Mark Urdahl, Port of Chelan director.
The company did not say how many people would work at the data center, but Urdahl said about 25 employees will work there while the company is setting up operations.
The deal comes less than a month after Microsoft Corp. signed a tentative agreement with the Port of Quincy, on the Columbia River southwest of Wenatchee, to buy 74 acres for a data-storage center that could employ 30 to 40 people.
Information from: The Wenatchee World, http://www.wenworld.com
Columbia Basin Herald reporter Matthew Weaver contributed to this report.