Amazon Announces $10 Billion Investment in North Carolina for AI and Cloud Computing
Amazon has announced plans to invest an estimated $10 billion in North Carolina to expand its data center infrastructure in support of AI and cloud computing technologies. This significant investment is expected to create at least 500 new high-skilled jobs while supporting thousands of other jobs in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center supply chain.
Expansion and Job Creation
The new high-skilled jobs will range from data center engineers and network specialists to engineering operations managers and security specialists. In addition to these direct positions, the planned investment is expected to support thousands of local construction jobs and positions in the data center supply chain, as well as other jobs in the local community.
Community Investment and Training Programs
As part of the announcement, Amazon is committing to bringing training and education programs to local communities. These include data center technician programs, fiber optic fusion splicing workshops, and STEM awareness and learning opportunities for K-12 schools. Amazon is also launching the Amazon Richmond County Community Fund with a $150,000 commitment for grants up to $10,000 supporting STEM education, sustainability, economic development, workforce development, and community well-being.
State and Local Impact
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein praised the investment, stating, “Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work and innovate, and I am pleased that North Carolina will stay at the forefront of all that’s ahead as we continue to attract top technology companies like Amazon.” David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to driving innovation and advancing cloud computing and AI technologies.
Conclusion
This investment builds on Amazon’s existing presence in North Carolina, where the company has invested $12 billion since 2010. The latest expansion underscores Amazon’s confidence in the state’s business ecosystem and talented workforce, further solidifying North Carolina’s position as a hub for cutting-edge technology and innovation.
