Amazon unveiled plans to spend $12 billion on new data centers in Louisiana to support growing AI and computing needs.
The new centers are to be built in the state’s northwest Caddo and Bossier parishes, marking Amazon’s first large-scale data center presence in the state.
The tech giant said the project will create 540 full-time data center jobs, and support 1,710 additional positions such as electricians and operations managers.
“Amazon … will build next-generation data center campuses to support AI and cloud computing, ensuring opportunities for local communities,” David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer, said in a statement. release. “We are creating hundreds of high-paying jobs and making substantial investments in local infrastructure to serve customers.”
Development comes in the form of technology Vendors are racing to expand AI infrastructure To meet growing data processing needs, Meta, Microsoft, Google, OpenAI and others have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in new data centers globally, although many are seeing community backlash due to estimated water and energy consumption.
To respond to local concerns, Amazon said it would invest up to $400 million in local water infrastructure and pay for its own energy and utility infrastructure at the new campuses.
The company said facilities will use verified surplus water, or water in excess of current community needs, limiting use to a portion of that supply to avoid strain on local resources.
Additionally, Amazon has invested in solar energy projects in Louisiana, bringing up to 200 MW of new carbon-free energy to the grid. The seller also established a $250,000 community fund to support STEM education and local projects in the area.
“An investment of this magnitude puts Louisiana at the center of trust operations nationwide and connects our communities to the jobs that power where Americans live, work and do business,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said in a statement. release.
