Achi news desk-
Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced plans to invest an estimated $11 billion in Indiana, creating at least 1,000 new jobs and marking the largest capital investment in state history. With the support of Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), AWS will build new data centers in St. Joseph County. AWS will also contribute up to $7 million to support road infrastructure improvements being built by the state and local community around the company’s proposed development.
This proposed investment is part of Amazon’s long-term commitment to Indiana. Since 2010, we have invested $21.5 billion in the Hoosier State and added $19.8 billion to Indiana’s gross domestic product, helping to support customers, workers and communities. Amazon’s investments have created 26,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the state. Amazon’s commitment to Indiana also includes enabling four solar farms and a wind farm, with a combined capacity of more than 600 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power approximately 146,000 homes.
“AWS’s unwavering commitment to supporting our customers and helping drive digital transformation has been evident through our infrastructure investments across the United States,” said Roger Wehner, AWS director of economic development. “Building on this, we are thrilled to expand our operations in Indiana through this planned $11 billion investment, which will create numerous high-paying job opportunities and leverage the technology sector growing state, while contributing significantly to the growing economy of the state. This investment will include our continued commitment to foster workforce development and educational initiatives in the areas where we operate, and we look forward to helping nurture the next generation of talent in the Hoosier State. We are excited to partner with Governor Holcomb, IEDC, and other state and local leaders to forge a path toward a brighter future for Indiana’s technology landscape. “
Empowering local communities
AWS is dedicated to the communities where our data centers operate. Building on our commitment to St. Joseph County and surrounding areas, AWS is launching the St. Joseph County Community Fund. Joseph InCommunities AWS, a grant program aimed at supporting initiatives that focus on six key themes: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education; sustainability and the environment; economic development; developing the future workforce; inclusion, diversity, and equity; and homelessness, hunger, health, and well-being.
AWS is committing $100,000 to this fund, which will be managed and administered by the non-profit ChangeX. The program is open to individuals, local community groups, schools, non-profits, and other organizations across St. Joseph County and the greater South Bend region. Applicants can apply for grants of up to $10,000 for new or existing community projects that align with at least one of the six themes outlined by the fund. As part of our long-term community investment plan, the Community Fund marks the first steps we will use to collaborate with local partners to implement high impact programs that aim to foster the county’s sustainable growth and prosperity.
Support STEAM awareness
In addition, AWS will initiate a fund to support a curated set of STEAM awareness and learning opportunities for K-12 school systems. This fund will support the implementation of programs such as the We Build It Better program, which provides industry-designed curricular experiences and resources that engage middle and older school students in a work-like STEAM environment equipped with industry-standard tools. This program aims to foster interest and develop skills in STEAM fields from an early age, preparing students for future careers in these dynamic and rapidly developing sectors.
Invest in education and skills training
AWS is also committed to empowering local communities by offering a range of educational programs and skills training opportunities. In collaboration with educational institutions and local workforce development, our aim is to raise awareness of the region’s developing needs for a robust technology workforce and work together to create opportunities that lead to rewarding careers.
Among the local training programs that will be offered in the area are the Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Workshop, which trains individuals in new fusion splicing techniques and equipment. After completing the free two-day workshop, learners earn a fusion splicer certificate and are directly connected to employers looking for in-demand fiber broadband talent.
The Information Infrastructure Workshop, another upcoming program, is designed to help students, educators and workforce leaders better understand the physical layer of cloud computing and our knowledge economy, and the many different career options available . Through a series of workshops with employers, the program creates pathways to careers related to building, connecting, operating, and powering data centers.
“Indiana’s long-term economic strategy is paying off for Hoosiers as we foster the growth of critical sectors like technology infrastructure,” said Governor Holcomb. “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 future economy, and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the town of New Carlisle, the north-central region and the state of Indiana for years to come.”
“Today’s AWS announcement will be a generational boost to our local and regional economy, and we are excited about the opportunity to welcome the AWS team and workforce to our community,” said Carl Baxmeyer, president, St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. “This new data center campus to be built at the Indiana Enterprise Center (IEC) over the next decade will be a major employment center for all of northern Indiana. The announcement of this project also demonstrates our alignment with the state’s goal to create next-level jobs that benefit all Hoosiers.”
Learn more about the ways AWS data centers benefit local communities.
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