Microsoft cuts ribbon in Quincy

QUINCY — There's been a lot of interest in Quincy during the last year or so, but Debra Chrapaty reminded everyone Microsoft was first.

"I know you've got a lot of interest here in Quincy now around data centers and infrastructure because of all that great power and that wonderful bandwidth you've brought in here," Chrapaty said.

She's the corporate vice president of global foundation services for Microsoft's Windows Live, and spoke to a crowd gathered Monday morning at the company's data center site in Quincy.

"But when your community blossoms far beyond all your dreams, remember Microsoft was first," she continued.

The facility is one of a number of facilities Microsoft plans to open in the next few years to support its software-plus services initiative, Chrapaty said.

"You should know what you bring here today is foundational to Microsoft and to what we'll be bringing to customers all over the world," she said.

Chrapaty said the day was phenomenal for Microsoft, since the Quincy facility is the first data center fully built and owned by the company, an experience she likened to purchasing a first home.

"There's a feeling of accomplishment and pride when you actually own something," she said.

In giving her thanks, Chrapaty said the love and care of the people who worked on the project resonates through the building.

"I know we had a very big loss here last year, and I want to call that out, because I think it's important to recognize people and what goes into these kinds of initiatives," she said. "Thank everyone for the sacrifices they've made to bring this facility alive for us today."

Thirty-one-year-old Travis L. Watts of Richland died at the Quincy site in July 2006 while working on the data center when he fell 35 feet from where he was laying roof decking.

Several members of the community took the stage following Chrapaty, including Grant County Public Utilities District Commissioner Tom Flint, Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake; Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum; Grant County Commissioner LeRoy Allison and Turner Construction Company Senior Vice President Thomas B. Gerlach, Jr.

Port of Quincy Commissioner Patric Connelly presented Chrapaty with a package of beans grown in the beanfield which used to be where the facility now sits.

Quincy City Council Member Scott Lybbert spoke of a recent trip to the Quincy post office where he did not recognize anybody besides the people behind the counter. At first, it gave him the feeling he might not be at home, he said, but he ultimately classified the feeling as growing pains.

"I want you to know you've come to a community which is a very tight community, a discerning community, people who will give their heart to you, their time," he said, addressing Microsoft employees and officials. "What I ask from you folks is to greet us as we've greeted you — extend your hand, give us a handshake and become part of this community."

Following the ceremony, Senior Director of MSN Infrastructure Services Michael Manos told reporters the facility employed 45 to 50 people, comprised of Microsoft employees and support staff.

The first half of the building is online, Manos said, with the second half expected to be completed in February or March 2008. The total building space is going to be 474,000 square-feet. Any increase in employee numbers or further building growth depends upon adoption of the company's online services.

"It's about 1.3 miles all the way around, if you wanted to take a leisurely jog," he said with a chuckle.

The facility is working closely with the State of Washington and City of Quincy through "little hiccups" on a water permitting issue, Manos said.

"When you think about it, this is the first time Quincy's had to deal with a facility of this size, and we're going to be bringing different sorts of challenges to the community as a result of that," he said. "It's a learning process on their side, on our side, and there's not anything there I think can't get addressed in the short term as we walk through these issues."

The facility broke ground May 30, 2006. Data Center Manager Darrel Amundson is in charge of the Quincy facility.