Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced its largest investment in Mississippi, with an ambitious $10 billion project that will not only mark the development of multiple data centers in the state but also create at least 1,000 jobs and promote technology training and professional development. This move represents the largest capital investment in the state’s history, underscoring AWS’s commitment to Mississippi and its emerging tech community.
AWS Expansion in Mississippi: A Boost to the Tech Sector and Economy
In collaboration with the Madison County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA), AWS will establish new data center complexes in two industrial parks in the county, generating high-paying jobs and increasing Mississippi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Roger Wehner, AWS’s director of economic development, expressed the company’s enthusiasm: “This $10 billion investment will not only strengthen our infrastructure but also open up training opportunities and educational programs in Mississippi, developing the next generation of talent in the tech sector.”
Since 2010, Amazon has invested $2.3 billion in the state, with projects including distribution and sorting centers, delivery stations, five solar parks, and a wind farm, as well as educational programs such as Amazon Future Engineer, which provides STEM education resources to 74 schools in Mississippi.
Promoting Education and Development of Tech Skills
AWS’s commitment to Mississippi goes beyond data centers. The company has announced several programs to train students and workers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) skills, including:
- We Build it Better: A program designed for high school and older students that offers hands-on experiences with tools and environments similar to those in the STEAM sector.
- We Will Build it Better: Aimed at elementary students, this program seeks to spark interest in technology through practical learning environments.
- Technical Training Workshops: AWS will partner with universities, community colleges, and professional development organizations to offer practical courses and workshops that prepare students for careers in data center construction and operation, as well as broadband expansion. This includes:
- Fiber Optic Splicing Workshops: Two-day courses to teach students and workers advanced splicing techniques, connecting them with employers in the fiber optic sector.
- Information Infrastructure Workshops for Educators: Designed for educational leaders to better understand careers related to technological and data center infrastructure.
AWS will also provide free access to training content in cloud computing, based on employer demand and key skills such as cloud support, software development, and data integration.
Boosting Renewable Energy in Mississippi
AWS reaffirms its commitment to renewable energy in Mississippi. The company is already the largest corporate buyer of clean energy in the state, with a recent expansion of its wind energy capacity in Tunica County, home to the first statewide wind farm. The Delta Wind project, which includes 41 turbines, will also allow for agricultural coexistence, utilizing the land for rice, soy, corn, and wheat cultivation. This project is expected to create hundreds of jobs during construction and millions in tax revenue for the county and school district.
Ongoing Commitment to Mississippi
Since 2010, Amazon has consistently invested in Mississippi, creating 7,500 direct jobs and 9,000 indirect jobs, and increasing the state’s GDP by $2 billion. AWS expressed gratitude for the support from Governor Tate Reeves and local leaders and reaffirmed its commitment to serving customers and communities in Mississippi through this historic expansion.
With a vision for a more tech-driven Mississippi, AWS aims to strengthen the local economy, provide new educational opportunities, and establish a sustainable data infrastructure, solidifying its role as a leader in innovation and economic development in the region.
via: Amazon