Amazon Announces $20 Billion Investment in Pennsylvania for AI Infrastructure
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro revealed on Monday that Amazon plans to invest $20 billion in multiple state-of-the-art data centers across the state, marking the largest private sector investment in Pennsylvania’s history. The announcement was made at the historic Jackson Mansion in Berwick, which served as a backdrop for the significant economic development news.
“An initial investment of $20 billion in multiple state-of-the-art data centers across our Commonwealth that will power our global economy and the future of artificial intelligence,” Governor Shapiro explained. The data centers will be located in various parts of the state, with initial sites identified in Salem Township, Luzerne County, and Falls Township, Bucks County.
The Salem Township location will be situated alongside the power plant at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, while the Falls Township site will be at the Keystone Trade Center. According to Shapiro, this investment will not only create 1,250 permanent jobs but also generate thousands of construction jobs during the development phase.
Amazon representatives emphasized that this investment is not just about advancing technology but also about securing Pennsylvania’s and America’s future in artificial intelligence. “These facilities are really going to serve as the backbone for America’s AI infrastructure, helping to make sure that the United States continues to remain at the forefront of global technology innovation,” said Kevin Miller of Amazon Web Services.
While the announcement was met with enthusiasm from state officials, not everyone present was supportive. Claudia Glennan, a resident of Salem Township living near the proposed data center site, attended the event to express her concerns. “There also are a lot of people that are losing their forever homes, most of them will be, I suppose, very well compensated, but that’s a concern,” she stated.
In response to such concerns, Governor Shapiro assured that local zoning decisions would be made by local governments, with state officials working to incorporate neighbors’ concerns while ensuring the project’s success. “Local zoning decisions are going to be made by the local government, and we’re going to work hard to make sure we incorporate concerns of the neighbors to make sure this project gets built, but also people’s interests are protected,” he said.
Shapiro attributed the swift progress on this investment to Pennsylvania’s new fast-track permitting system, noting that construction on the data centers is already underway. This significant investment is expected to bolster Pennsylvania’s position in the tech industry while creating numerous economic opportunities for its residents.
