Amazon has announced a $10 billion investment to build AI and cloud infrastructure across North Carolina, marking one of the largest investments in the state’s history. The massive expansion will create at least 500 high-skilled jobs in Richmond County while supporting thousands more in construction and the broader AWS supply chain, positioning North Carolina as a critical hub for AI data center operations.
What you should know: Amazon’s investment represents a significant escalation in the company’s North Carolina presence, building on more than a decade of expansion in the state.
- Since 2010, Amazon has invested $12 billion in North Carolina, contributing over $13 billion to the state’s GDP.
- The new project will support AWS data centers and help meet rising power demand as AI infrastructure expands nationwide.
- At least 500 direct jobs will be created, including roles for data center engineers, network specialists, and operations managers.
Why this matters: The investment comes as power demand for AI data centers is expected to surge, with companies racing to build infrastructure capable of supporting increasingly sophisticated AI workloads.
- North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called it “one of the largest in the state’s history,” highlighting the state’s growing importance in the national tech economy.
- The project solidifies North Carolina’s position as an “innovation hub” for cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Community investment: Amazon will launch comprehensive training programs and community initiatives alongside the infrastructure build-out.
- The company will partner with local community colleges and universities to offer data center technician programs and fiber optic fusion splicing workshops.
- STEM awareness and learning opportunities will be provided for K-12 schools throughout the region.
- Amazon will establish the Amazon Richmond County Community Fund with $150,000 in initial grant funding for local initiatives focused on STEM education, sustainability, and workforce development.
What they’re saying: Company and state leaders emphasized the strategic importance of the investment for both Amazon’s growth and North Carolina’s economic development.
- “This investment will position North Carolina as a hub for cutting-edge technology, create hundreds of high-skilled jobs, and drive significant economic growth,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer.
- Governor Stein noted that “AI 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.”
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