Amazon has unveiled plans to invest a substantial $10 billion in North Carolina to significantly expand its cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. This ambitious initiative will focus on constructing new data centers in Richmond County, a rural area about 70 miles east of Charlotte, aimed at strengthening Amazon Web Services’ AI capabilities.
The investment is expected to create at least 500 skilled jobs, including positions for data center engineers and network specialists, providing a major economic boost to the region, which has experienced declines in traditional manufacturing sectors over recent decades. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein described the project as one of the largest investments in the state’s history, emphasizing its potential to keep North Carolina at the forefront of technological innovation.
Amazon’s Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer, David Zapolsky, highlighted that this development will establish the state as a hub for advanced technology, fostering economic growth and workforce development through partnerships with local leaders, suppliers, and educational institutions.
This $10 billion commitment forms part of Amazon’s broader strategy to accelerate AI innovation and infrastructure expansion. The company has already indicated plans to increase its overall capital expenditures to $100 billion in 2025, with a significant portion dedicated to AI-related projects and data center enhancements across the United States.
In addition to physical infrastructure, Amazon is investing in AI research and development, including microchip innovation and generative AI technologies, reinforcing its position in the competitive AI landscape alongside other tech giants.
This major investment underscores Amazon’s dedication to advancing AI technology and cloud services, positioning North Carolina as a critical node in the company’s expanding AI ecosystem.