Amazon Announces $20 Billion Investment in Pennsylvania Data Centers
Amazon has announced plans to invest $20 billion in Pennsylvania to develop data center infrastructure for its AI and cloud computing technologies. The project includes two initial sites, one in Falls Township, Bucks County, and another in Salem Township, Luzerne County. This investment is expected to create at least 1,250 high-skilled jobs in the state and support thousands more in the Amazon Web Services data center supply chain.
The exact location in Falls Township is reportedly the Keystone Trade Center, a large logistics park being developed on the former U.S. Steel property. The facility is described as a “digital infrastructure campus” with plans for 10 structures ranging from 112,000 to 217,000 square feet, totaling more than 2 million square feet.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro hailed the investment as a significant win for the state and local economy, emphasizing the creation of good-paying jobs and new revenue for local communities. “This initial investment from Amazon will create thousands of good-paying, stable jobs as Pennsylvania workers build, maintain, and operate the first two data center campuses in Luzerne County and Bucks County,” Shapiro said.
Amazon’s Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer, David Zapolsky, highlighted the company’s commitment to advancing AI innovation and fostering economic growth in Pennsylvania. The data centers, which have been in development for over a year, represent the largest single corporate investment in the state’s history.
The investment is part of Amazon’s larger commitment to Pennsylvania, where it currently operates 23 fulfillment and sorting centers and 20 last-mile delivery stations. Since 2010, Amazon has invested over $26 billion in the state and created more than 27,000 direct jobs, with tens of thousands of indirect jobs linked to its operations.
To support the new data centers, Amazon is planning to fund job programs ranging from elementary schools to colleges and trade schools. Bucks County Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Luzerne County Community College, and Northampton Community College are forming a consortium to provide training for the future workforce, including jobs at Amazon facilities.
The Keystone Trade Center, where the Falls Township data center is expected to be located, has already attracted other major tenants, including Cirro, FedEx, and logistics firms. The overall project aims to build 20 or more industrial warehouse buildings, distribution centers, and data centers, potentially creating 14,000 jobs.
The development of the Keystone Trade Center is a significant investment in the region, with NorthPoint Development planning to invest $1.5 billion in the site’s transformation, including $40 million to $45 million in remediation. The project has been designated as a Keystone Opportunity Investment Zone, offering significant tax breaks to spur development.
