Good Morning it’s Tuesday March 30thand this is Slices of Wenatchee. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 

Today - Microsoft is projected to invest over $1 billion over the next five years for a new data center campus. The proposal has sparked mode debate over power rates.

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.

 

Now our feature story… 

 

So, you may have heard that Microsoft has spent $19.3 million to buy 170 acres of undeveloped land north of Pangborn Memorial Airport.

 

But that’s just the beginning. The total investment could be over $1 billion over the next five years.

 

Why? They’re building a multi-phase data center campus. If it’s completed as proposed, that would make it by far the most valuable property in Douglas County.

 

Microsoft has already started leveling its construction site. They've also applied to the county for a building permit for the first of three proposed structures.

 

That first building will be around 250,000 square feet. It’s valued at $409 million.

 

The first building alone would be worth twice as much as Douglas County’s second-most-valuable property: the Sabey Corporation’s data center down the street.

 

But with a new data center on the horizon, a debate over power rates returns

 

The area’s utilities are preparing to serve the East Wenatchee project by building out water and power infrastructure — though Microsoft is expected to cover most of those costs as well.

 

The company has agreed to pay for improvements to support its vast power needs. That project is expected to cost $24.9 million and should be completed in May.

 

So far, the PUD has not signed a power contract with Microsoft. They also haven’t provided an estimate of how much power the company has requested.

 

The East Wenatchee Water District is using the project as an opportunity to make much-needed upgrades to its water infrastructure.

 

The improvements will provide extra redundancy to the water supply system and ensure there’s enough flow to support firefighting efforts for the commercial structures, if it’s ever needed. The 2 million-gallon reservoir will also allow for future growth in the area.

 

Microsoft’s new home is an industrial area that has grown quickly over the years and now has a range of commercial businesses, including two existing data centers and a few cryptocurrency miners.

 

Improving the infrastructure in that area, for both industrial and residential customers, has been a vision of the water district for many years according to District Manager Vince Johnston.

 

For more on this story visit us at wenatcheeworld.com.

 

-

 

Here’s what else you need to know about today…

 

Gov. Jay Inslee announced that workers in restaurants, manufacturing, and construction are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines starting tomorrow. People with two or more comorbidities, people ages 60-64 and people experiencing homelessness living in congregate settings will also be eligible tomorrow.

 

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All counties moved to Phase 3 on March 22nd. The state will evaluate the counties again on April 12 and will decide whether they will remain in Phase 3 or move back to Phase 2. Douglas County has until then to get its COVID-19 rate and hospitalizations below the standard metrics.

 

/

 

Under Phase 3, spectators can attend sporting events with up to 25% capacity and indoor establishments, such as restaurants, can increase dining from 25% to 50% capacity.

 

/

 

And remember, for all news related to vaccinations and covid-19 visit us at wenatcheeworld.com/news/coronavirus.

 

-

Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.  Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com

 

Berklee College of Music students Téa Renee and Joseph Nehring first thought the nationwide shutdowns in 2020 would only mean a longer spring break. 

 

But now, one year later the music duo released “Tell Me,” a song about distance, loneliness and struggles faced in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Renee, a 2018 Eastmont High School graduate, started writing the lyrics after she had just been sent back home from the campus of her college in Boston. 

 

Renee has previously been involved in theater and choir at Eastmont, was nominated for a 5th Avenue Theatre Award, won the 2016 Wenatchee Valley Symphony Young Musician Competition, participated in the Lake Chelan Bach Fest, has performed at the Apple Blossom Musical and has been featured in productions at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts.

 

Working on a song was nothing new for Renee, but collaborating entirely remotely was. 

 

Their song touches on topics such as feeling like a burden when one wants to reach out and not having confidence as a communicator.

 

A major theme is the need for communication. 

 

Renee said she hopes the song reminds listeners that you’re never as lonely as you believe you are, especially during COVID.

 

“Tell Me” can be found on Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and iTunes. Or, you can stick around for the end of today’s episode to listen.

 

Finally, some local history, Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR New members can sign up at nabur.wenatcheeworld.com.

 

By the way - it’s time for the 11th annual World’s Best, the Wenatchee World’s tribute to recognizing the Best of our area. This year, things will be a little different and we need your help! We are looking to you to nominate your favorite businesses, people and places in Round 1. From March 17th to April 4th, go to wenatcheeworld.com/worldsbest to submit your nominees on the ballot. Round 2, the voting round, will be live on April 21. Visit wenatcheeworld.com/worldsbest for more information. 

 

Now, some history…

 

The “Captain Alexander Griggs Walking to Work” statue was created by sculptor Richard Beyer and artist Cheryl Wrangle. It’s part of the City of Wenatchee’s public art collection. The cast bronze sculpture was donated by the North Central Washington Museum in 1997. 

 

Griggs’ was born in Ohio in 1838. He received his steam boat license at the age of 19 and began piloting steamboats. He eventually made his way to North Dakota and helped establish Grand Forks’ first bank. Later, he went west for new business ventures and moved to Washington in 1892 to form the Columbia and Okanogan Steamboat Company. He became the first man to operate a steamboat on the Columbia River. Finally, in 1900 he and his family moved to Wenatchee where he lived until his death three years later. 

 

Now his legacy as one of the founding members of Wenatchee is sealed in bronze.

 

Thanks for listening. We’d also like to thank our sponsor again, Equilus Group, Inc, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

 

The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Thursday!

 

Now, as promised, “Tell Me”, by Téa Renee and Joseph Nehring

Good Morning it&rsquo;s Tuesday March 30thand this is Slices of Wenatchee. We&rsquo;re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories and other announcements every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Today - Microsoft is projected to invest over $1 billion over the next five years for a new data center campus. The proposal has sparked mode debate over power rates.
&nbsp;
Today&rsquo;s episode is brought to you by Equilus Group Incorporated. Equilus Group, Inc is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Equilus Group, Inc- Building Your Financial Success. Learn more at Equilusfinancial.com. Member SIPC and FINRA.
&nbsp;
Now our feature story&hellip;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
So, you may have heard that Microsoft has spent $19.3 million to buy 170 acres of undeveloped land north of Pangborn Memorial Airport.
&nbsp;
But that&rsquo;s just the beginning. The total investment could be over $1 billion over the next five years.
&nbsp;
Why? They&rsquo;re building a multi-phase data center campus. If it&rsquo;s completed as proposed, that would make it by far the most valuable property in Douglas County.
&nbsp;
Microsoft has already started leveling its construction site. They've also applied to the county for a building permit for the first of three proposed structures.
&nbsp;
That first building will be around 250,000 square feet. It&rsquo;s valued at $409 million.
&nbsp;
The first building alone would be worth twice as much as Douglas County&rsquo;s second-most-valuable property: the Sabey Corporation&rsquo;s data center down the street.
&nbsp;
But with a new data center on the horizon, a debate over power rates returns
&nbsp;
The area&rsquo;s utilities are preparing to serve the East Wenatchee project by building out water and power infrastructure &mdash; though Microsoft is expected to cover most of those costs as well.
&nbsp;
The company has agreed to pay for improvements to support its vast power needs. That project is expected to cost $24.9 million and should be completed in May.
&nbsp;
So far, the PUD has not signed a power contract with Microsoft. They also haven&rsquo;t provided an estimate of how much power the company has requested.
&nbsp;
The East Wenatchee Water District is using the project as an opportunity to make much-needed upgrades to its water infrastructure.
&nbsp;
The improvements will provide extra redundancy to the water supply system and ensure there&rsquo;s enough flow to support firefighting efforts for the commercial structures, if it&rsquo;s ever needed. The 2 million-gallon reservoir will also allow for future growth in the area.
&nbsp;
Microsoft&rsquo;s new home is an industrial area that has grown quickly over the years and now has a range of commercial businesses, including two existing data centers and a few cryptocurrency miners.
&nbsp;
Improving the infrastructure in that area, for both industrial and residential customers, has been a vision of the water district for many years according to District Manager Vince Johnston.
&nbsp;
For more on this story visit us at wenatcheeworld.com.
&nbsp;
-
&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s what else you need to know about today&hellip;
&nbsp;
Gov. Jay Inslee announced that workers in restaurants, manufacturing, and construction are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines starting tomorrow. People with two or more comorbidities, people ages 60-64 and people experiencing homelessness living in congregate settings will also be eligible tomorrow.
&nbsp;
/
&nbsp;
All counties moved to Phase 3 on March 22nd. The state will evaluate the counties again on April 12 and will decide whether they will remain in Phase 3 or move back to Phase 2. Douglas County has until then to get its COVID-19 rate and hospitalizations below the standard metrics.
&nbsp;
/
&nbsp;
Under Phase 3, spectators can attend sporting events with up to 25% capacity and indoor establishments, such as restaurants, can increase dining from 25% to 50% capacity.
&nbsp;
/
&nbsp;
And remember, for all news related to vaccinations and covid-19 visit us at wenatcheeworld.com/news/coronavirus.
&nbsp;
-
Before we continue, a special thanks to our friends and sponsors at Confluence Health. The team at Confluence Health is grateful for the trust the community puts in them every single day. They are diligently working to improve the health and quality of life for our friends and neighbors. They are Grateful | They are Confluence Health.&nbsp; Learn more by visiting them at ConfluenceHealth.com
&nbsp;
Berklee College of Music students T&eacute;a Renee and Joseph Nehring first thought the nationwide shutdowns in 2020 would only mean a longer spring break.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
But now, one year later the music duo released &ldquo;Tell Me,&rdquo; a song about distance, loneliness and struggles faced in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
&nbsp;
Renee, a 2018 Eastmont High School graduate, started writing the lyrics after she had just been sent back home from the campus of her college in Boston.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Renee has previously been involved in theater and choir at Eastmont, was nominated for a 5th Avenue Theatre Award, won the 2016 Wenatchee Valley Symphony Young Musician Competition, participated in the Lake Chelan Bach Fest, has performed at the Apple Blossom Musical and has been featured in productions at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts.
&nbsp;
Working on a song was nothing new for Renee, but collaborating entirely remotely was.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Their song touches on topics such as feeling like a burden when one wants to reach out and not having confidence as a communicator.
&nbsp;
A major theme is the need for communication.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Renee said she hopes the song reminds listeners that you&rsquo;re never as lonely as you believe you are, especially during COVID.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Tell Me&rdquo; can be found on Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and iTunes. Or, you can stick around for the end of today&rsquo;s episode to listen.
&nbsp;
Finally, some local history, Wenatchee Valley History is brought to you by NABUR New members can sign up at nabur.wenatcheeworld.com.
&nbsp;
By the way - it&rsquo;s time for the 11th annual World&rsquo;s Best, the Wenatchee World&rsquo;s tribute to recognizing the Best of our area. This year, things will be a little different and we need your help! We are looking to you to nominate your favorite businesses, people and places in Round 1. From March 17th to April 4th, go to wenatcheeworld.com/worldsbest to submit your nominees on the ballot. Round 2, the voting round, will be live on April 21. Visit wenatcheeworld.com/worldsbest for more information.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Now, some history&hellip;
&nbsp;
The &ldquo;Captain Alexander Griggs Walking to Work&rdquo; statue was created by sculptor Richard Beyer and artist Cheryl Wrangle. It&rsquo;s part of the City of Wenatchee&rsquo;s public art collection. The cast bronze sculpture was donated by the North Central Washington Museum in 1997.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Griggs&rsquo; was born in Ohio in 1838. He received his steam boat license at the age of 19 and began piloting steamboats. He eventually made his way to North Dakota and helped establish Grand Forks&rsquo; first bank. Later, he went west for new business ventures and moved to Washington in 1892 to form the Columbia and Okanogan Steamboat Company. He became the first man to operate a steamboat on the Columbia River. Finally, in 1900 he and his family moved to Wenatchee where he lived until his death three years later.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Now his legacy as one of the founding members of Wenatchee is sealed in bronze.
&nbsp;
Thanks for listening. We&rsquo;d also like to thank our sponsor again, Equilus Group, Inc, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
&nbsp;
The Wenatchee World has been engaging, informing and inspiring North Central Washington Communities since 1905. We encourage you to subscribe today to keep your heart and mind connected to what matters most in North Central Washington. Thank you for starting your morning with us and don't forget to tune in again on Thursday!
&nbsp;
Now, as promised, &ldquo;Tell Me&rdquo;, by T&eacute;a Renee and Joseph Nehring

Explore the people, news and events that keep the Wenatchee Valley moving forward with Wenatchee World's podcast. Slices of Wenatchee brings you insights into the vibrant Apple Capital of the World three days a week.

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/

 

Explore the people, news and events that keep the Wenatchee Valley moving forward with Wenatchee World's podcast. Slices of Wenatchee brings you insights into the vibrant Apple Capital of the World three days a week.
<a href="https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/">https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/</a>
&nbsp;