Data center jobs in Washington have more than doubled since 2018, with over 23,000 people employed in the industry statewide as of last year, per Census Bureau data.

Why it matters: Companies, investors and governments are pouring tons of money and resources into data centers to help power AI and other next-gen tech, but there's debate over how many jobs they'll create and whether they're worth the energy required to run them.

By the numbers: Among states, Washington saw the eighth-biggest increase in data center employment between the first quarters of 2018 and 2024, notching 106% growth, per the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Workforce Indicators.

• These numbers include data centers as well as web hosting and a few other related fields.

Reality check: Data center jobs still make up a small sliver of U.S. employment overall.

• The 452,000 data center jobs recorded nationwide early last year comprised less than half a percent of all U.S. private-sector jobs at that time.

Zoom in: Seattle-area companies such as Amazon and Microsoft are among those fueling the data center industry's growth.

• In Central Washington, Microsoft runs large data centers in Quincy and is adding data centers in East Wenatchee and Malaga, according to its website.

State of play: Washington lawmakers passed a tax break in 2010 encouraging data centers to locate here.

• But the centers are straining electricity resources of some public utilities throughout the state, which may complicate Washington's plans to decarbonize its electrical grid, the Seattle Times and ProPublica reported last year.
• In Seattle, which is home to several smaller data centers, the amount of power used by the industry has grown fivefold since 2016, per the Times and ProPublica.
• In 2022, data centers used at least 10% of the city's power, the news organizations reported.

What we're watching: Microsoft expects to spend $80 billion in the 2025 fiscal year building data centers that can handle the demands of AI, president and vice chair Brad Smith wrote this month.

• Amazon, meanwhile, plans to spend $150 billion on data centers over 15 years, Bloomberg reported last spring.

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Seattle is known for its innovation, stunning scenery and — for thousands of newcomers — a social climate that can feel isolating. But a new civic initiative wants to help transplants, from tech workers to retirees, find their footing.

Why it matters: In a world grappling with an epidemic of loneliness and a city known for being socially chilly, some Seattleites are finding they have to work to break the ice.

Driving the news: Starting next weekend, the Chamber of Connection — a newly launched nonprofit focused on helping newcomers build community and combat social isolation — will host a monthly series of interactive orientations for new residents.

What they're saying: Seattle's tech boom has brought waves of new arrivals, but also deepened social divides, said Aaron Hurst, who founded the Chamber of Connection to help bridge those gaps.

• "Seattle is a city of silos with newcomers joining each of them but often staying in their silos," he told Axios in an email.
• The chamber's welcome committee includes members from Microsoft, Amazon, UW, the Mariners, the Kraken and more to help people from tech, sports, medicine and the arts get out of their comfort zones and meet each other, he told GeekWire.

The big picture: Hurst struggled with the culture shift after moving to the Emerald City from Brooklyn 10 years ago and said he found the city needed a bigger, systemic effort to foster deeper connections.

• Hurst's goal is to see Chamber of Connections in 50 U.S. cities in 10 years.

What's next: The chamber is looking for volunteers to help launch Neighborhood Clubhouses with monthly meet-ups at bars or cafes.

• Welcome Day orientation — for people over 16 who identify as newcomers — will be held at Town Hall from 10am-2pm on Feb. 8, March 1, April 19 and May 17.
• $20, lunch included.

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🚆 Sound Transit says it will open two new light rail stations on May 10, extending its Eastside-only route to downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village. (KIRO 7)

• Service connecting Seattle to the Eastside over Lake Washington isn't expected until later this year, however. We're tracking the full schedule of planned light rail openings here.

📉 Amazon confirmed it has laid off some employees in its communications and corporate responsibility division, but wouldn't say how many. (KING 5)

🐤 The giant inflatable duck towering over Interstate 5 in SODO is there to promote the Seattle Boat Show, which starts today. (Seattle Times)

Got a burning question about Seattle? We'll help find the answer — but first, we need your help!

How it works: You can ask us questions about anything, from history to transit, to cultural norms and pronunciation quirks. No question is too weird, too small or too Seattle.

• Think: Why is Seattle called the Emerald City? How many potholes does the city fill each year?? What's up with all the malfunctioning transit elevators? What did that building used to be?
• We'll answer in a new — but as yet unnamed — Axios Seattle series.

What should we call it? We've got a few ideas: Rain Check, Puget Sound Off, Emerald Answers, 206 Questions, or Just Ask Seattle — but we suspect you may have better ones.

What's next: Hit reply or email [email protected] with your questions and naming ideas.