In a record-breaking move, Amazon announced on Monday, June 9 that it planned to invest at least $20 billion in Pennsylvania in expansion of its data centers infrastructure, accommodating its artificial intelligence and cloud computing capabilities. The record-breaking investment is the largest private sector investment in state history and will help position Pennsylvania as a leading center for high-tech innovation. This announcement comes days after Amazon announce similar projects in North Carolina where they are investing up to $10 billion in expansion its data center infrastructure to support AI and cloud computing technologies.
The expansion, led by Amazon Web Services (AWS), will begin with the construction of two cutting-edge data center campuses in Salem Township (Luzerne County) and at Keystone Trade Center in Falls Township (Bucks County). Various other locations across the state are also being considered as part of Amazon’s broader plan to expand its cloud and AI footprint.
This huge investment will create a minimum of 1,250 high-skilled jobs in fields such as data center engineering, network operations, cybersecurity, and operations. Thousands more jobs in construction, logistics, and the supply chain will be created, providing a huge boost to the Pennsylvania economy and workforce.
Governor Josh Shapiro hailed the announcement as a game-changer for the Commonwealth. “With Amazon’s investment of at least $20 billion in developing new state-of-the-art data center campuses in our Commonwealth, we have secured the largest private sector investment in Pennsylvania history,” he said. “This will create thousands of good-paying stable jobs and produce long-term local community revenue.”
Community and Workforce Development
Besides employment and infrastructure, Amazon is bringing a suite of education and training programs to make Pennsylvania citizens cloud career-ready. Some of them include:
Amazon Community Workforce Accelerator (CWA): Local education centers to upskill workers for technical roles in AWS operations.
Data Center Operations & Fiber Optic Technician Programs: Local college and vocational school training and equipment support.
Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Workshops: Training certification for students and job seekers.
AWS Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship (I2PA): Amazon’s planned investment is not just for data centers, a compensated programs earning career readiness credentials and interviews with AWS or partner contractors are also planned.
In order to draw younger students, Amazon is launching STEM-intensive classes such as “We Build It Better” for middle and high school students and “We Will Build It Better” for elementary school classrooms. These classes are designed to foster young interest in science and technology professions with real-world equipment and environments.
Read also: Amazon to Invest $10B to Expand Its Data Center Infrastructure in Richmond County, North Carolina
Amazon Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Fund
As part of its community reinvestment plan, Amazon is also establishing the Amazon Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Fund with a starting $250,000 in grant capital. Managed by nonprofit ChangeX, the fund will provide grants of up to $10,000 to support projects in STEM education, sustainability, digital literacy, culture, and health initiatives in Luzerne and Columbia counties.
This builds on an earlier $100,000 collaboration with the Berwick-based Community Giving Foundation to support projects aimed at food security, housing, transportation, and farm education.
A Deepening Investment in Pennsylvania
Amazon’s investment is an extension of a centuries-long history of presence in the state. Amazon has invested over $26 billion in Pennsylvania since 2010 and built more than 27,000 full- and part-time jobs. Its footprint is comprised of 23 fulfillment and sortation sites and 20 last-mile delivery stations. The firm has also made investments in 12 solar initiatives and has a reverse logistics facility in Greencastle that specializes in refurbishing and recycling data center gear.
David Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer at Amazon, said that the investment reinforces the company’s ongoing commitment to economic growth and innovation. “By expanding our cloud computing infrastructure, we’re investing in Pennsylvania’s future in terms of new hiring, workforce development programs, and community investments,” he said.
As artificial intelligence and cloud computing revolutionize industries globally, Amazon’s investment represents Pennsylvania’s growing role as the epicenter of that revolution.
Read also: Former Homer City Plant to Become a $10 Billion AI Data Center Campus
Amazon Pennsylvania Data Center Investment: Project Factsheet
Overview
Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a historic $20+ billion investment in Pennsylvania’s data center infrastructure to support AI and cloud computing expansion – the largest private sector investment in state history.
Key Details
Investment Amount: Minimum $20 billion
Announcement Date: June 9, 2025
Project Lead: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Primary Focus: AI and cloud computing infrastructure
Locations
Phase 1 Construction:
Salem Township, Luzerne County
Falls Township, Bucks County
Additional statewide locations under consideration
Amazon’s Investment Pennsylvania and Economic Impact
Direct Jobs: 1,250+ high-skilled positions
Job Categories: Data center engineering, network management, cybersecurity, operations
Indirect Jobs: Thousands in construction, logistics, and supply chain
Amazon’s PA History: $26B+ invested since 2010, 27,000+ jobs created
Read also: Amazon Web Services (AWS) New $1B Data Center in Marysville
