Today, Amazon announced plans to invest an estimated $10 billion in North Carolina to expand its data center infrastructure, supporting AI and cloud computing technologies. This investment is expected to create at least 500 new high-skilled jobs, while also helping thousands of other jobs in the AWS data center supply chain.
GenAI is driving demand for advanced cloud infrastructure and compute power, and Amazon’s investment will support the future of AI from AWS data centers in the Tar Heel State. And this deployment of cloud computing infrastructure will strengthen North Carolina’s position as an innovation hub.
The new high-skilled jobs will range from data center engineers and network specialists to engineering operations managers, security specialists, and more technical roles. Along with these direct positions, this planned investment is expected to support thousands of local construction jobs and positions in the data center supply chain, as well as other jobs in the local community.
For over a decade, Amazon has been a driving force behind North Carolina’s economic growth, investing $12 billion in the state since 2010 and contributing $13.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). And this latest expansion is a testament to the state’s thriving business ecosystem and talented workforce, which have enabled us to support 24,000 full- and part-time jobs, as well as more than 26,000 indirect jobs.
This planned investment builds on Amazon’s track record of investing in infrastructure across North Carolina. Amazon also recently announced the opening of a Same-Day Delivery facility in Kannapolis, along with plans for four new last-mile facilities in Jacksonville, Mount Airy, Southern Pines, and Tarboro. These new sites will improve delivery speeds for customers while creating more than 100 full-time jobs at the Kannapolis facility alone.
Amazon has also made significant investments in renewable energy, including two solar and wind farms. After being fully operational, these projects will generate enough carbon-free energy to power an estimated 76,316 U.S. homes each year. Plus, Amazon filmed Original movies and series in North Carolina, including The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Peripheral, and Merv.
Support for education and skills training: Amazon is also making several commitments to North Carolina communities:
1.) Support for North Carolina community colleges, technical schools, universities, and workforce development organizations to develop and grow training programs and work-based learning opportunities that prepare job seekers for high-demand career pathways in the growing field of data center construction and operations, as well as the broadband expansion industry. This training and support will include upgrades to facilities and equipment to facilitate hands-on learning, faculty training from industry subject matter experts, and curricular content that links programs of study to industry standards and best practices. This includes programs such as:
a.) Data Center Operations and Fiber Optic Technician Programs
b.) Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Workshops
c.) Information Infrastructure Workshops for Educators
d.) AWS Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship (I2PA)
2.) Support for STEM awareness and learning opportunities for K-12 school systems, such as:
a.) We Build it Better (industry-designed curricular experiences and resources that engage middle school and older students in a work-like STEM environment).
b.) We Will Build it Better (a career awareness program for elementary classrooms to engage students in a work-like STEAM environment)
c.) Think Big Experiences (Inspire young people to pursue careers in technology).
3.) Support for education institutions and independent learners with a free and ready-to-learn cloud computing curriculum that works backward from employer demand for specific skills and roles in cloud support, software development, data integration, and other in-demand cloud computing skills. This builds on the AWS commitment to provide free cloud skills training to 29 million people globally.
4.) Amazon Future Engineer: To help all young people realize their potential as creators, thinkers, and builders, Amazon launched the Amazon Future Engineer program. This year, Amazon named 8 North Carolina high school seniors as Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipients. Each student will receive up to $40,000 over four years to pursue degrees in computer science or engineering, along with a paid internship opportunity at Amazon after their first year of college.
5.) Amazon Richmond County Community Fund: Amazon is launching the Amazon Richmond County Community Fund, a grant program aimed at supporting initiatives focused on key themes: STEM education, sustainability and environment, economic development, future workforce development, and homelessness, hunger, health, and well-being. Amazon is committing $150,000 to the fund, which will be managed and administered by the nonprofit ChangeX.
KEY QUOTES:
“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. Amazon’s investment is among the largest in state history and will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs and an economic boost to Richmond County.”
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein
“Amazon’s $10 billion investment in North Carolina underscores our commitment to driving innovation and advancing the future of cloud computing and AI technologies. 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.”
David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer
