I left my heart in Data Center #82: AI interest in the heartland doubles as AWS invests $7.8B in Ohio

America’s Heartland is experiencing a surge in artificial intelligence adoption and investment, with major tech companies pouring billions into Midwest data centers and manufacturing facilities. This shift challenges traditional perceptions of the region as technologically backward, as new studies show AI interest among heartland residents has doubled from 34% to 68% in less than a year.

The big picture: Major hyperscale companies are establishing significant infrastructure investments across the Midwest, transforming the region into an emerging AI hub.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) is planning a $7.8 billion investment in Ohio for new data centers containing servers, storage drives, and networking equipment to power cloud computing and AI applications.
• Automated factories in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana are manufacturing AI-powered equipment like John Deere tractors while using AI for predictive maintenance and quality control.
• Universities like Michigan and Purdue are expanding workforce development programs to support the growing tech sector.

Why the Midwest makes sense: The heartland offers several strategic advantages that go beyond cheaper real estate costs.

• Cincinnati sits within 600 miles of 60% of the U.S. population, making it ideal for low-latency AI applications that need to serve users quickly across the country.
• The region has existing nuclear and hydroelectric energy systems, abundant land and water for infrastructure, and a temperate climate.
• Cities like Cincinnati already function as major internet hubs with multiple fiber providers and direct connections to national backbone networks that can be leveraged immediately.

Changing attitudes: Recent studies by Heartland Forward, a regional research organization, reveal a dramatic shift in sentiment toward AI technology.

• AI interest among heartland residents doubled from 34% in June 2024 to 68% in April 2025, with the biggest enthusiasm coming from adults aged 35 to 44.
• While a majority still report workplace anxiety about AI, most surveyed workers want their employers to offer AI training programs.
• Researchers characterize this growth as “more than just a passing curiosity,” indicating sustained regional interest in the technology.

What this could mean: The transformation may fundamentally reshape America’s economic geography and challenge cultural stereotypes.

• The rust belt could potentially become a new Silicon Valley, boosting quality of life for millions of Americans in the region.
• This development might cause some chagrin for younger generations who use “Ohio” as slang for backwardness, as the state emerges as a tech leader.
• The changes suggest the AI revolution could supercharge economies in cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Youngstown.