Amazon Web Services to Invest $11 Billion in Indiana

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced plans to invest an estimated $11 billion in Indiana, marking the largest capital investment in the state’s history. This investment, supported by Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), aims to create at least 1,000 new jobs in the region. AWS will build new data centres in St. Joseph County, contributing up to $7 million to support local road infrastructure improvements.

Since 2010, Amazon has invested $21.5 billion in Indiana, contributing $19.8 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) and creating over 26,000 full- and part-time jobs. The company’s commitment to Indiana extends to renewable energy, with four solar farms and a wind farm providing over 600 megawatts of power, enough to serve 146,000 homes.

Roger Wehner, AWS director of economic development, highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting digital transformation and fostering economic growth. “Building upon this, we are thrilled to be expanding our operations in Indiana through this planned $11 billion investment, which will create numerous well-paying job opportunities and tap into the state’s burgeoning tech sector,” he said. The investment will also include initiatives to develop the future workforce and strengthen educational programs in the region.

In addition to the new data centres, AWS is launching the AWS InCommunities St. Joseph County Community Fund, a grant program designed to support projects focused on six key themes: science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths (STEAM) education; sustainability; economic development; future workforce development; inclusion and diversity; and homelessness, hunger, health, and well-being. The program will be managed by the nonprofit ChangeX, with grants of up to $10,000 available for community projects.

AWS is also investing in educational and workforce development programs in the area. The company is initiating a fund to support STEAM awareness and learning opportunities for K-12 school systems, including the We Build it Better program, which engages middle-school and older students in STEAM fields. Furthermore, AWS will offer free workshops, like the Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Workshop and the Information Infrastructure Workshop, to provide skills training and connect participants with job opportunities in the tech sector.

Governor Holcomb emphasised the importance of AWS’s investment in Indiana’s technology infrastructure, stating, “Amazon has long been an important economic partner in Indiana, and we are excited to welcome AWS. This significant investment solidifies Indiana’s leadership position in the economy of the future and will undoubtedly have a positive ripple effect on the town of New Carlisle, the north-central region, and the state of Indiana for years to come.”

Carl Baxmeyer, president of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, echoed this sentiment, noting that the new data centre campus in the Indiana Enterprise Center (IEC) will be a significant employment center for northern Indiana. “This project announcement also shows our alignment with the state’s goal to create next-level jobs that benefit all Hoosiers,” he added.

The planned AWS investment is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to Indiana, both in terms of job creation and the overall growth of the state’s technology sector.