On Tuesday, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon's cloud computing division, said It plans to invest “at least” $11 billion in Georgia to expand its infrastructure to support various cloud computing and AI technologies.
AWS estimates its investment will create about 550 jobs in the state.
“AWS is proud to expand our operations in Georgia to help drive the next generation of cutting-edge technologies like AI,” the company wrote in a press release. “We are grateful for the state and local leaders who have partnered with us, and we look forward to putting Georgia at the forefront of the digital age.”
AWS' infusion comes about eight months after the company said It will pour the same amount of cash — $11 billion — into data centers in Indiana The deal will create at least 1,000 jobs, AWS has pledged.
Georgia is becoming a popular site for data centers. According to According to a report, by mid-2024, data center construction in the Atlanta market alone is expected to grow by 76% year over year.
The city's cheap electricity, existing fiber-optic infrastructure and state tax incentives are attractive to big tech. Google, Meta, Elon Musk's X, and Microsoft are other major infrastructure spenders in the region. In 2023, Microsoft bought Building a data center on hundreds of acres would cost about $1.8 billion.
Locals aren't necessarily happy about the development, which they say competes with housing and other more pressing real estate needs. Atlanta City Council last September forbidden From opening new data centers in areas near transit and the popular Beltline walkway.
Data centers also have high capacity requirements. The utility Georgia Power is leaning in part on fossil fuels to generate enough capacity to power current and future data centers, a move that has been criticized by environmentalists.
By 2028, metro Atlanta's data center inventory is expected to grow to more than 4,000 megawatts of power load — more than 30 times the metro's data center load in 2012, according to real estate data firm Green Street.
This story is developing and will be updated.