Amazon Plans $10B North Carolina Investment for Cloud, AI Growth

Published Date : 05/06/2025 

Amazon is set to invest $10 billion in North Carolina to expand its cloud computing and AI infrastructure, creating hundreds of high-skilled jobs and supporting local community projects. 

Amazon has announced a significant investment of $10 billion in North Carolina to expand its data center infrastructure, focusing on advanced cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This landmark investment is expected to create at least 500 new high-skilled jobs and support thousands of other jobs in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center supply chain.

The new high-skilled jobs will range from data center engineers and network specialists to engineering operations managers, security specialists, and many other technical roles. In addition to these direct positions, the 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.

“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,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “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.”

David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer, emphasized the company’s 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.”

For more than 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). This latest expansion is a testament to the state's thriving business ecosystem and talented workforce, which have enabled Amazon 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. The company 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. Once fully operational, these projects will generate enough carbon-free energy to power an estimated 76,316 U.S. homes each year. Additionally, Amazon has filmed several Original movies and series in North Carolina, including 'The Summer I Turned Pretty,' 'The Peripheral,' and 'Merv.'

As part of today’s announcement, Amazon is also making several commitments to support North Carolina communities. These include:

- Support for North Carolina community colleges, technical schools, universities, and workforce development organizations to design, 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.

- Data Center Operations and Fiber Optic Technician Programs, bringing industry experts and state-of-the-art equipment to train local education institutions to train the next generation of North Carolina Data Center operators.

- Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Workshops, two-day certificate courses implemented at local community colleges, technical schools, and universities that train individuals in new fusion splicing techniques and equipment, then connect these learners to fiber-broadband employers.

- Information Infrastructure Workshops for Educators, a one-day workshop to help education and workforce leaders better understand the physical layer of cloud computing and the many different careers available.

- AWS Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship (I2PA), a paid pre-apprenticeship designed for students and job seekers to prepare for entry into several careers that build, connect, power, and operate the infrastructure of the information economy.

Amazon is also supporting STEM awareness and learning opportunities for K-12 school systems, including:

- We Build it Better, a set of industry-designed curricular experiences and resources that engage middle school and older students in a work-like STEM environment stocked with industry-grade tools.

- We Will Build it Better, a career awareness program for elementary classrooms to engage students in a work-like STEAM environment, complete with an array of industry-grade hand tools and technology.

- Think Big Experiences, which inspire young people to pursue careers in technology.

To help all young people realize their potential as creators, thinkers, and builders, Amazon launched the Amazon Future Engineer program. This year, the company 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, plus a paid internship opportunity at Amazon after their first year of college. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is Amazon's planned investment in North Carolina?

A: Amazon plans to invest $10 billion in North Carolina to expand its data center infrastructure, focusing on advanced cloud computing and AI technologies.

Q: How many jobs will this investment create?

A: The investment is expected to create at least 500 new high-skilled jobs and support thousands of other jobs in the AWS data center supply chain, local construction, and the broader community.

Q: What types of jobs will be created?

A: The new jobs will range from data center engineers and network specialists to engineering operations managers, security specialists, and many other technical roles.

Q: What community support programs is Amazon launching?

A: Amazon is launching training and education programs, including data center technician programs, fiber optic fusion splicing workshops, and STEM awareness and learning opportunities for K-12 schools.

Q: What is the Amazon Future Engineer program?

A: The Amazon Future Engineer program provides scholarships and paid internships to high school seniors pursuing degrees in computer science or engineering. This year, 8 North Carolina high school seniors were named as scholarship recipients. 

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