Amazon has officially broken ground on a $10 billion data center campus in Richmond County, North Carolina, a project that will span 4 million square feet and mark one of the largest technology investments in the state’s history.
Landmark Investment
Amazon Web Services (AWS) confirmed the start of construction on its $10 billion data center campus in Richmond County, North Carolina, on 30 October 2025. The development will cover 800 acres at the Energy Way Industrial Park and is expected to include around 20 buildings, each ranging between 200,000 and 225,000 square feet.
The project represents North Carolina’s largest single technology investment to date and underscores Amazon’s commitment to expanding its cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Economic Impact
The campus is projected to create at least 500 high-skilled jobs, including roles for engineers, network specialists, and cybersecurity experts. Thousands more indirect jobs are expected to be supported across the AWS supply chain.
Since 2010, Amazon has already invested $12 billion in North Carolina, contributing more than $13 billion to the state’s GDP and supporting over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Governor Josh Stein hailed the project as a transformative investment, saying it will “keep North Carolina at the forefront of the AI and cloud revolution while delivering long-term economic benefits to our communities.”
Driving AI and Cloud Growth
The new campus will serve as a cornerstone of AWS’s global expansion, designed to meet surging demand for generative AI, cloud storage, and advanced computing services. The facility will be powered in part by renewable energy projects in the region, aligning with Amazon’s pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Strategic Significance
Industry analysts note that the investment reflects the intensifying race among tech giants to build out infrastructure capable of supporting AI-driven applications. By situating the campus in North Carolina, Amazon gains access to a skilled workforce, robust energy infrastructure, and strategic proximity to East Coast markets.
Outlook
Construction is expected to continue in phases through the early 2030s, with the first facilities coming online by 2028. Once complete, the Richmond County campus will be one of Amazon’s largest global data center hubs, reinforcing its position as a leader in cloud and AI services.
Conclusion
Amazon’s $10 billion North Carolina data center campus represents a historic milestone for both the company and the state, combining massive infrastructure investment with long-term commitments to jobs, innovation, and sustainability.
Amazon-Campus-Seattle-Washington-Picture-by-Steven-Vance
Sources: Amazon Press Release; Data Center Dynamics; ABC News; Business North Carolina; Connect CRE.
