Movable Clouds Migrate To Chase Tax Breaks

1sockchuck writes "State legislators have been offering huge tax incentives to attract data center projects from cloud-builders. But what happens if the political climate changes and the tax break disappears? If you're Microsoft, you can just take your cloud and move it someplace else. The infrastructure for the Windows Azure platform is being migrated out of a facility in central Washington after the state ruled that data centers no longer qualify for a tax exemption on equipment. Mike Manos, a key player in site selection for many major data centers, predicts that future cloud platforms will move often to chase lower taxes or cheaper power."

A new threat?

[olborer]

The first thing on my mind after reading the topic was a government run development of stealth flying apparatus chasing innocent citizens for not paying taxes.

Buzzword comes back to bite you.

[SilverHatHacker]

Yes, clouds move. In the upper atmosphere, air cools and sinks, causing wind currents, which blow the clouds around.
Wait, what's that you say?
Oops, my mistake.

I'm amazed someone hasn't mentioned it yet...

[cpt_drewbie]

"Mike Manos, and his Hands of Fate, predicts that future cloud platforms will move often to chase lower taxes or cheaper power."

Slightly edited, bolded for effect.