Summary

Metropolitan King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Boardmember Claudia Balducci released the following statement on the announcement by Microsoft to expand and build upon their headquarters in Redmond:

Story

Our region is prospering due to companies like Microsoft that value what Puget Sound has to offer. Microsoft’s plan to expand their headquarters in Redmond shows the strong relationship the company has with our region and highlights its commitment to improving and building upon the success they have had here.

As a region, we have done our part to promote economic opportunity and prosperity by building out a cohesive transportation network anchored by a regional light rail system. The East Link light rail extension will open near the Microsoft headquarters in 2023, bringing fast and reliable transit service to one of our region’s top employment centers. I am proud of the work we have done to encourage this development and the path it has created for Microsoft to recommit to the Puget Sound area.

This is exactly the kind of outcome we were working for when we first planned light rail expansion to the Eastside. Companies like Microsoft see the benefits of having their employees have access to high capacity transit. The investments we have made are validated by today’s announcement.

I am grateful for the strong commitment Microsoft has demonstrated to our region, and value the benefits of retaining such a committed community partner.