12/16/2024: This article has been updated since the 2023 announcement of a $7.8 billion investment in Ohio.
Ohio has long been an important partner for Amazon Web Services (AWS), and today, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to the Buckeye State with plans to invest $10 billion to help meet rapidly growing demand for cloud computing and AI. This investment builds on the $7.8 billion announced in 2023, which was in addition to more than $6 billion already invested through 2022, and has the potential to expand our infrastructure to new sites across Ohio by the end of 2030.
By 2030, AWS's planned investment toward data center expansion in Ohio is forecasted to surpass $23 billion—one of the largest private investment commitments Ohio has ever received. The investment will create hundreds of new AWS jobs in technical roles like data center engineers, network specialists, engineering operations managers, security specialists, and many more. It will also help support thousands of jobs annually in the local economy, in sectors like telecommunications, facilities maintenance, and electricity generation within the AWS supply chain.
Generative AI is driving increased demand for advanced cloud infrastructure and compute power, and our investments will support the future of AI from data centers in Ohio. AWS data centers are flexible enough to efficiently run traditional workloads or AI/ML models. This deployment of cutting-edge AI infrastructure will strengthen Ohio's position as an innovation hub.
“As reliance on digital services continues to grow, so does the importance of data centers; they are critical to today’s modern economy,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “AWS’s substantial investment in Ohio will help keep our state at the forefront of the global technology.”
“These are significant investments from AWS that support Ohio’s growing reputation as the tech hub of the Midwest,” said Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted. “Artificial Intelligence and data centers are crucial to America’s economic superiority because they drive innovation, support high-tech industries, enhance productivity across sectors, and enable the analysis and management of vast data essential for global competitiveness.”
Our economic commitment
Since 2010, Amazon has invested $35 billion in Ohio, which has added $31 billion into the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), and created 38,000 full- and part-time jobs, along with supporting 72,000 indirect jobs.
AWS’s data center operations in Ohio are also investments in local communities across the state. Since first launching the AWS US East (Ohio) Region in 2016, we've invested more than $10.3 billion in the state in cloud computing infrastructure which has contributed an estimated $3.8 billion in GDP through 2023. Our investments also support more than 4,700 jobs annually in the data center supply chain across Ohio.
Commitment to a sustainable future
As AWS expands in Ohio, we're committed to powering our operations in an environmentally sustainable way. In 2023, Amazon achieved its goal of matching 100% of the electricity consumed across all of its operations with renewable energy.
In Ohio specifically, we've invested in 23 wind and solar projects that are helping offset the energy usage of our data centers and logistics facilities. Once fully operational, these projects will generate more than 2.9 gigawatt hours of clean energy annually—enough to power 565,000 U.S. homes each year.
Investment in the next generation of technology talent
We're also focused on being good community partners by investing in education and workforce development programs that will build the next generation of tech talent. To support local workforce development, AWS has multiple programs aimed at equipping workers for careers in data center infrastructure. We helped establish the Data Center Technician Training Program at Columbus State Community College and created a $50,000 scholarship fund for students. AWS also offers paid internships enabling Columbus State students to gain vital experience. Our Grow Our Own Talent program focuses on upskilling internal employees, while work-based learning initiatives provide pathways for external candidates to land internships and entry-level data center jobs with AWS.
AWS's workforce development efforts in Columbus include programs like our Fusion Splicing course, created with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, which provides students hands-on training from Sumitomo’s engineers in fiber optic installation and repair–vital skills for building modern data infrastructure. Earlier this year, we also kicked off the new Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship (I2PA) program, in collaboration with local schools and national partners. This four-week program teaches cloud infrastructure skills from industry experts. Both initiatives help participants secure job offers by making introductions to employers actively hiring for in-demand technical jobs in Ohio.
In the Columbus area, AWS collaborates extensively with K-12 school districts on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education (STEAM) initiatives like the We Build It Better program to introduce young learners to STEAM concepts through an interactive curriculum.
This also includes programs like AWS Girls’ Tech Day, which saw more than 800 girls from Central Ohio participate this year, and inspires girls to pursue interests in technology through interactive workshops on AI, robotics, augmented reality, and more. Another major initiative is our AWS Think Big Spaces program, where we've established 20 cloud computing lab spaces in schools across the state. Students use these tech-enabled classrooms to learn coding, cybersecurity, and other future-ready skills through an immersive curriculum developed with AWS.
As we develop our plans across greater Ohio in the months ahead, we'll continue engaging with communities about their priorities. AWS chooses locations that provide robust utility infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and opportunities to support public services through increased tax revenue. Ultimately, we are committed to making a positive impact in Ohio through job creation, educational partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and community reinvestment.
The cloud is powering innovation across all sectors of the modern economy. AWS is proud to expand our cornerstone investment beyond Central Ohio to help drive the next generation of cutting-edge technologies such as AI. We're grateful for the state and local leaders who have partnered with us, and we look forward to keeping Ohio at the leading edge of the digital age.
Learn more about AWS and cloud computing. For more information on AWS's investments in Ohio, download the fact sheet.
06/26/2023: Announcing a $7.8 billion investment enabling our continued growth and creating new job opportunities in the Buckeye State
Nearly a decade ago, Amazon Web Services (AWS) began building data centers in Ohio, and the state's ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, investing in the next generation of technology leaders, and creating a sustainable future has helped forge a tremendous partnership. Since our earliest conversations, we have remained committed to the communities that opened their doors to us, helping businesses and local residents grow and thrive. Being an active member in the Ohio communities where we operate is a responsibility we take great pride in.
Today, we’re announcing an estimated investment of $7.8 billion by 2030 to expand our data center operations in Ohio, which will bring hundreds of direct jobs and support thousands of additional jobs at local businesses through the construction, operations, and maintenance on-site at AWS facilities. This additional investment reinforces our long-term partnership with Ohio and its citizens.
Today, we’re announcing an estimated investment of $7.8 billion by 2030 to expand our data center operations in Ohio, which will bring hundreds of direct jobs and support thousands of additional jobs at local businesses through the construction, operations, and maintenance on-site at AWS facilities. This additional investment reinforces our long-term partnership with Ohio and its citizens.
Our economic commitment
Investment in the next generation of technology talent
AWS community volunteers
Commitment to a sustainable future
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