EPHRATA - Quincy is giving the Grant County Economic Development Council $15,000, more than twice as much as last year.

The city council approved the increase as part of its annual renewal of an agreement between the city and the organization.

"It is because of partners like you that we have the resources needed to provide our region with the jobs and investment necessary to grow healthy communities," EDC President Juliann Dodds wrote in a letter to the city. "You understand the necessity of a sound ongoing economic development strategy and we value and appreciate your input and support."

The letter pointed out the Microsoft data center expansion, as well as other projects including the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers plant.

"The Grant County EDC was engaged in recruiting each of these companies to the county and we will continue to work with them to help them grow their operations," according to the letter. "In addition to these successes, we continued our local, regional and international outreach efforts."

The city previously donated $1 per resident to the council, bringing the total to about $6,000. Mayor Jim Hemberry said in an interview, the council decided to increase its donations because of the EDC's budget trouble and successes in the city.