Seattle could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue as Starbucks expands operations in Tennessee, a local outlet estimates.
Fox 13 Seattle reported Tuesday that the Emerald City “could lose up to $750 million in tax revenue in the coming years as Starbucks expands in Tennessee instead of Washington.”
In a press release Tuesday, Starbucks announced it will invest $100 million and bring 2,000 new jobs to Nashville.
“Starbucks has major plans for its newest business location, where it will employ up to 2,000 people over the next several years to serve in a variety of corporate-related operations,” the announcement said.
“The Nashville office will directly support continued coffeehouse expansion and rising customer demand, particularly in the southeastern U.S., while working closely with the company’s global headquarters in Seattle.”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee welcomed the announcement Tuesday, writing in a post on X, “Great to welcome @Starbucks’ continued investment in TN as it establishes its new Southeastern hub in Music City.
“This iconic global company’s $100 million investment — a testament to our strong economy & unmatched workforce — will create 2,000 new jobs for Tennesseans.”
Fox 13 Seattle called Lee’s attitude “sharply different from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson when she encouraged a crowd to boycott the company shortly after she was elected mayor,” noting that Wilson’s remarks were given to a crowd during a Starbucks union workers rally in November.
“I am not buying Starbucks, and you should not too,” Wilson said.