Amazon has revealed plans to invest roughly $10 billion in new artificial intelligence data center infrastructure in North Carolina, as announced by the company and state officials on Wednesday.
The expanded AI data center will be established in Richmond County, working closely with Amazon Web Services, the company’s cloud computing division.
This initiative is set to generate “at least 500 new advanced jobs,” including roles for data center engineers and network specialists, according to Amazon.
Democratic Governor Josh Stein praised Amazon’s investment as “one of the biggest in state history,” claiming it will “provide an economic boost to Richmond County.” This area is located about 70 miles east of Charlotte.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work and innovate. As we continue to attract top-tier technology firms like Amazon, it’s encouraging to see North Carolina leading the charge,” Stein said in a statement.
“This investment will help establish North Carolina as a center for cutting-edge technology, creating hundreds of advanced jobs and spurring significant economic growth,” commented David Zapolsky, Amazon’s CEO and Justice Officer.
Zapolsky went on to express enthusiasm about collaborating with local leaders, suppliers, and educational institutions to cultivate the next generation of talent.
Alongside the investment, Amazon also plans to introduce training programs focusing on areas like data center operations and fiber optics. The company has been increasing its presence in North Carolina, having already invested $12 billion in the state since 2010.
On the stock market, Amazon’s shares remained steady during Wednesday’s trading.
In the competitive landscape of artificial intelligence, Amazon and other major tech companies are pouring billions into infrastructure development to advance technology.
Under the leadership of CEO Andy Jassy, Amazon is projected to spend $100 billion on capital expenditures this year.
Former President Trump has also endorsed national initiatives urging businesses to strengthen their commitments within the U.S. In January, he announced the $500 billion Project Stargate, a joint effort involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle aimed at building AI data centers.
