Amazon has announced plans to invest approximately $10 billion in North Carolina to expand its burgeoning AI infrastructure, paving the way for the creation of 500 new high-skilled jobs and supporting thousands more within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center supply chain.
The investment is part of a larger initiative reflecting Amazon’s long-standing commitment to the state, where it has invested $12 billion since 2010, contributing $13.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). This extensive investment has also facilitated the support of approximately 24,000 full-time and part-time jobs, in addition to 26,000 indirect jobs across multiple facilities.
“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,” expressed North Carolina Governor Josh Stein.
This latest investment, one of the largest in state history, is poised to enhance North Carolina’s status as a technological innovation hub, especially within the fields of AI and cloud computing. The new jobs will range from data center engineers and network specialists to engineering operations managers and security experts, among other technical roles.
David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer, emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to stepping up innovation and enhancing the potential of cloud computing technologies. He stated, “This investment will position North Carolina as a hub for cutting-edge technology, create hundreds of high-skilled jobs, and drive significant economic growth. We look forward to partnering with state and local leaders, local suppliers, and educational institutions to nurture the next generation of talent.”
In addition to the job creation and economic growth, Amazon plans to roll out various training and education initiatives to local communities. These programs will focus on developing the workforce for the expanding field of data center operations and broadband infrastructure.
Specific initiatives include:
– Data Center Operations and Fiber Optic Technician Programs to equip local educational institutions with necessary training and industry expertise.
– Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Workshops that provide two-day certificate courses on advanced techniques in fiber optics, connecting learners to job opportunities in the broadband sector.
– Information Infrastructure Workshops for Educators designed to enhance understanding of cloud computing and available career paths in the information economy.
– AWS Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship program for job seekers to prepare them for various careers within the information economy, offering industry-recognized credentials upon completion.
Furthermore, Amazon is dedicated to raising awareness and expanding STEM education for younger students. Initiatives like “We Build it Better” will engage middle and high school students in work-like STEM environments, while “We Will Build it Better” targets elementary classrooms to inspire young minds towards STEAM careers. The company has also made a commitment to provide free, cloud computing curriculum to educational institutions and independent learners to help in skill development aligned with employer demands.
As part of its educational initiatives, Amazon has launched the Amazon Future Engineer program, awarding scholarships to eight North Carolina high school seniors. Each student will receive a scholarship of up to $40,000 over four years to pursue degrees in computer science or engineering, along with a paid internship opportunity at Amazon.
In its ongoing commitment to community empowerment, Amazon is launching the Amazon Richmond County Community Fund, a grant program aimed at supporting initiatives related to STEM education, sustainability, economic development, and workforce development.
The fund has a commitment of $150,000, with grants available up to $10,000 for qualifying projects aligned with its themes. The application process opened recently and will remain available until July 23, 2025, allowing individuals, community groups, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations within Richmond County and surrounding areas to apply for funding.
“We choose locations for our data center infrastructure that provide robust utility infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and opportunities to support public services through increased tax revenue,” the company noted in their press release. This investment marks a pivotal step in Amazon’s long-term strategy to positively impact the state through job creation, enhanced educational opportunities, sustainability initiatives, and community reinvestment.
In addition to its data infrastructure investments, Amazon has been active in North Carolina by contributing to community growth. The company’s recent announcements include opening a Same-Day Delivery facility in Kannapolis and building four last-mile facilities in Jacksonville, Mount Airy, Southern Pines, and Tarboro. These facilities aim to enhance delivery speeds while creating over 100 full-time jobs at the Kannapolis location alone.
Additionally, Amazon’s commitment to renewable energy is evident through its investments in two solar and wind farms, which, when fully operational, will produce enough carbon-free energy to power an estimated 76,316 U.S. homes each year.
Jeff Bezos’ company also contributes to local culture through film production, with Amazon Original series filmed in North Carolina, including “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “The Peripheral,” and “Merv.”
As North Carolina embraces its role as a leader in technological innovation and AI, Amazon’s expansion is set to fortify the state’s growing business ecosystem and enhance its talented workforce. Completing the investment plan, Amazon expressed gratitude towards state and local leaders for their partnership, and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead for both the company and the local community.
Through significant financial investments and community enhancements, Amazon’s commitment to North Carolina reflects a broader goal of fostering a nurturing environment for future technological advancements while ensuring economic prosperity through job creation and educational development. Overall, this investment could significantly reshape the trajectory of North Carolina’s technological landscape for years to come.
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