Amazon has announced plans to invest approximately $20 billion in Pennsylvania to broaden its data center infrastructure to accelerate advancements in cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies.
The technology company said Monday the planned investment is expected to create 1,250 high-skilled jobs and support thousands of local construction jobs and positions in the Amazon Web Services data center supply chain.
Amazon has identified Falls Township and Salem Townships as sites for future innovation campuses.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said Amazon’s announcement is the largest private sector investment in the state’s history.
“This initial investment from Amazon will create thousands of good-paying, stable jobs as Pennsylvania workers build, maintain, and operate the first two data center campuses in Luzerne County and Bucks County. Our team worked closely with local leaders and Amazon to land this deal, and we continue to be actively engaged on securing additional sites in Pennsylvania—helping them secure local support, developing the infrastructure needed to support more data centers, and ensuring our permitting processes move quickly and efficiently,” said Shapiro.
“With this historic announcement, we’re creating opportunity for our workers, generating new revenue for our local communities, and ensuring the future of AI runs right through Pennsylvania,” he added.
Since 2010, Amazon has invested over $26 billion in Pennsylvania and has generated more than 27,000 direct jobs across the state. The company operates 23 fulfillment and sortation facilities and 20 last-mile delivery stations across the Commonwealth.
“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, chief global affairs and legal officer at Amazon.
“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,” Zapolsky added.
Advancing Training & Education Programs
Amazon will partner with educational institutions and workforce organizations in Pennsylvania to develop training programs to prepare job hunters for data center construction and operations roles.
As part of the investment, the company will implement several programs, including the Amazon Community Workforce Accelerator initiative, the AWS Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship, data center operations and fiber optic technician programs, fiber optic fusion splicing workshops and information infrastructure workshops for educators.
Amazon will also introduce new programs to provide STEM awareness and learning opportunities for K-12 school systems, including We Build It Better, We Will Build It Better and Think Big Experiences initiatives.
Amazon Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Fund
The company is committing $250,000 to the Amazon Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Fund, a grant program that intends to support STEM education, digital skills, sustainability and environment, health, culture and heritage, and well-being.
The nonprofit organization ChangeX will oversee the fund, which will provide grants of up to $10,000 for existing or new community projects that align with at least one of the key themes of the grant program. The fund is open to community groups, nonprofits, schools, other organizations and individuals across Columbia and Luzerne counties.
