Amazon to invest $20 billion on AI data centers in Pennsylvania
Amazon plans to significantly expand its data center presence in Pennsylvania in what is called the largest private capital investment in the state's history.
The online giant said it intends to invest at least $20 billion in Pennsylvania to expand its data center infrastructure to support advanced AI and cloud computing technologies. Amazon has identified Salem Township and Falls Township as the first communities for its future campuses. Multiple additional Pennsylvania communities are under consideration.
This initiative follows a number of other high-profile commitments Amazon has made to invest billions of dollars in data center infrastructure in states across the U.S. These include projects slated for North Carolina, Georgia and Ohio.
Amazon has also committed billions of dollars to numerous data infrastructure development projects across the globe, most recently in Taiwan.
[READ MORE: Amazon Web Services to invest $5 billion in Taiwan data centers]
According to Amazon, its Pennsylvania investment is expected to create at least 1,250 new high-skilled jobs while supporting thousands of other jobs in the Amazon Web Services hosted cloud data center supply chain.
The new jobs are expected to range from data center engineers and network specialists to engineering operations managers, security specialists, and other technical roles. In addition to these direct positions, this 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.
"Amazon's multi-billion-dollar investment in Pennsylvania reinforces our dedication to advancing AI innovation while creating lasting economic opportunities in the state," said David Zapolsky, Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer, in a corporate blog post. "By expanding our cloud computing infrastructure, we're investing in Pennsylvania's future through new jobs, workforce development programs, and community initiatives. We look forward to helping drive the next generation of technology innovation, while delivering meaningful benefits for Pennsylvania residents."
Gov. Josh Shapiro called it the largest private sector investment in Pennsylvania’s history and said the announcement is “just the beginning” as his administration is working with Amazon on additional data center projects in the state, reported the AP.
Amazon builds on Pennsylvania infrastructure
These cloud computing and AI innovation campuses join Amazon’s operations footprint across Pennsylvania that now includes 23 fulfillment and sortation centers and 20 last-mile delivery stations.
Since 2010, Amazon says it has invested more than $26 billion in Pennsylvania, including infrastructure and compensation to employees, and has created more than 27,000 direct jobs across the state, and has contributed more than $26 billion to the Pennsylvania GDP on top of the company’s direct investments.
In addition, Amazon recently opened one of its re:Cycle reverse logistics facilities in a repurposed industrial building in Greencastle, Penn. re:Cycle reverse logistics hubs are designed to exten hardware life so it can be used longer, sold into the secondary market for reuse, or recycled.
Amazon also operates 12 solar farms and an on-site solar location generating carbon-free energy in the state. The company says it selects locations for its data center infrastructure that provide robust utility infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and opportunities to support public services through increased tax revenue.
