Amazon is significantly expanding its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure with a planned $20 billion investment in Pennsylvania. This commitment, announced on June 9, 2025, marks the largest private sector investment in the state's history and underscores Amazon's dedication to advancing AI and cloud computing technologies in the United States.
The investment will be used to establish multiple high-tech cloud computing and AI innovation campuses across the Commonwealth. The first identified locations for these campuses are Salem Township in Luzerne County and Falls Township in Bucks County, with additional sites under consideration in other Pennsylvania communities. These campuses will serve as critical infrastructure for generative AI and cloud technologies, supporting both private enterprises and government sectors globally.
This expansion is expected to create at least 1,250 high-paying, high-tech jobs, as well as thousands of construction jobs. Beyond the direct employment opportunities, the project is also expected to stimulate the local economy, generating new revenue for communities and supporting various positions within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center supply chain.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized the significance of this investment, stating that it demonstrates Pennsylvania's renewed competitiveness and its ability to attract major technology companies. He highlighted the collaborative effort between state and local leaders in securing the deal, emphasizing the state's commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure and efficient permitting processes to support data center development.
Amazon's decision to locate one of its Pennsylvania facilities near the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, a nuclear power plant, highlights the increasing importance of energy access for data centers. The 960-megawatt capacity from the nuclear facility will provide a stable and carbon-free power source, addressing both reliability and sustainability concerns associated with the massive energy demands of AI-optimized facilities. This aligns with industry trends that identify nuclear power as a preferred solution for meeting the energy needs of next-generation data centers.
This investment builds upon Amazon's existing presence in Pennsylvania, where the company has already invested more than $26 billion since 2010. This prior investment includes infrastructure and employee compensation, and has established a network of 23 fulfillment and sortation centers and 20 last-mile delivery stations across the Commonwealth. Amazon estimates that its investments have contributed over $26 billion to Pennsylvania's GDP and supported 27,000 full and part-time jobs, as well as 37,100 indirect jobs.
The strategic importance of this investment extends beyond Pennsylvania, contributing to the broader effort to maintain the United States' leadership in AI innovation. Kevin Miller, AWS's vice president for global data centers, stated that these facilities will serve as the backbone for America's AI infrastructure. David Zapolsky, Chief global affairs and legal officer for Amazon, reinforced this sentiment, emphasizing Amazon's dedication to advancing AI innovation and creating lasting economic opportunities in Pennsylvania through workforce development programs and community initiatives.
House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Majority Leader Matt Bradford and Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris jointly stated that the investment represents a tremendous opportunity to create family-sustaining jobs, invest in a growing industry, and position Pennsylvania as a key player in supporting generative AI.
The $20 billion investment in Pennsylvania reflects a broader trend of increasing capital expenditure in data centers, driven by the growing demand for AI capabilities. Amazon's commitment follows similar large-scale investments across the industry, as companies race to build capacity for compute-intensive AI applications.
