In a momentous decision that cements North Carolina’s status as a center of emerging technology, Amazon on June 5, 2025, announced its plans to invest up to $10 billion in expansion its data center infrastructure to support AI and cloud computing technologies in Richmond County. The announcement, made public by Amazon’s Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer David Zapolsky, is evidence of the company’s growing focus on the area and is one of the largest single-state economic investments in history.
“This investment will position North Carolina as a hub for cutting-edge technology,” said Zapolsky. “We look forward to partnering with state and local leaders, suppliers, and educational institutions to nurture the next generation of talent.”
What the $10B Investment Means for Richmond County
The expanded campus will span approximately 800 acres and eventually consist of 20 data center buildings ranging from 200,000 to 250,000 square feet. The buildings will house the computing infrastructure that will power Amazon Web Services (AWS) as well as generative AI technologies.
More than 500 well-paying jobs will directly be created in Richmond County. The positions will include data center engineers, network and security specialists, and technical operations staff. Thousands of additional jobs will be created indirectly in construction, logistics, and the AWS supply chain.
In addition to job creation, Richmond County will also benefit from a massive infrastructure upgrade—completely financed by Amazon. Water and wastewater systems will be modernized, and fiber-optic broadband will be expanded across the county. County Manager Bryan Land described the project as one that “will truly transform our community in ways that we cannot imagine.”
Read also: Amazon Web Services (AWS) New $1B Data Center in Marysville
Community Impact and Local Beneficiaries
Amazon is also establishing the Amazon Richmond County Community Fund, a $150,000 grants program managed by nonprofit ChangeX. Grants of up to $10,000 will be available to support local causes in the realms of STEM education, sustainability, economic development, and public health.
Local schools will benefit from new funding and partnerships for training schools in data center facilities and broadband infrastructure. Pre-apprenticeship programs and fiber optic fusion splicing workshops will put residents on a path to careers in the information economy for years to come. K-12 schools will receive access to Amazon-backed STEM curricula and technology materials.
Read also: Crusoe Secures Additional $11.6B to Expand AI Data Center Campus in Abilene, Texas
A Broader Economic Footprint
This $10 billion expansion is only the latest chapter in Amazon’s greater history with North Carolina. Since 2010, the company has invested over $12 billion in the state and contributed $13.1 billion to its gross domestic product. It now covers over 24,000 full- and part-time jobs in North Carolina and indirectly over 26,000 jobs.
While it is Amazon’s first major infrastructure project in Richmond County, the presence of the company will have immediate and lasting impact. The economic trickle-down from job training to increased tax revenues promises to reinvigorate an area long left behind.
As Governor Josh Stein noted, “Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work and innovate, and I am pleased that North Carolina will continue to be at the forefront. Amazon’s investment is the largest in state history and will generate hundreds of good-paying jobs and an economic stimulus to Richmond County.”
In this new development, Amazon is not only digging deeper roots in North Carolina but also building the future of cloud computing and AI innovation nationwide.
Additionally, since 2011, Amazon has committed more than $156 billion toward building data center facilities across the United States. This substantial infrastructure investment has created employment for over 37,000 people each year while contributing upwards of $51 billion to the country’s gross domestic product. The economic benefits have been particularly pronounced in states like Virginia, Ohio, Oregon, and California, where these investments have delivered meaningful impacts to local communities.
Read also: Google Plans $10 Billion Data Center Campus in West Memphis, Arkansas
Expansion of Amazon’s Data Center Infrastructure in Richmond County: Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Richmond County, North Carolina
Investment: $10 billion
Announcement Date: June 5, 2025
Project Type: AI and cloud computing campus
Key Statistics
Campus Size: 800 acres
Facilities: 20 data center buildings (200,000-250,000 sq ft each)
Direct Jobs: 500+ high-skilled positions
Indirect Jobs: Thousands in construction, logistics, and supply chain
Infrastructure Development
Water & Wastewater: Complete system modernization (Amazon-funded)
Broadband: Expanded fiber-optic network countywide
Facilities Purpose: AWS and generative AI computing infrastructure
Amazon’s Richmond County AI and cloud computing campus Expansion: Economic Impact
State Investment Ranking: Among largest in North Carolina history
Amazon’s NC History: $12B invested since 2010, $13.1B GDP contribution
Current Employment: 24,000 direct jobs, 26,000+ indirect jobs statewide
Community Benefits: Educational Partnerships
Data center operations training programs
Broadband infrastructure workshops
Fiber optic fusion splicing certification
Pre-apprenticeship programs
K-12 STEM curricula and technology resources
Timeline & Status
Current Phase: Planning and development
Expected Impact: Immediate and long-term economic transformation
Focus: Positioning North Carolina as a national technology hub
Read also: Massive $5B Investment to Drive Vantage Data Centers Expansion in Ohio and Beyond
