AWS Global Data Centre Expansions Extend to Mississippi

AWS is planning to invest US$10bn for two data centres in Mississippi, marking the largest capital investment in the state’s history.

The organisation is planning to build two data centre complexes in the US state, amid growing demand for cloud services as more firms adopt new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

This news comes in the midst of data centre companies seeking new ways to meet the demand of new technologies such as AI. Considering the impact on the sector, industry leaders are needing to consider how to keep pace with ever-evolving customer needs in economically viable and sustainable ways.

Unlocking local data centre opportunities

AWS' Mississippi expansion plan also comes very shortly after it announced a more than US$15bn investment in Japan to expand cloud computing services in the region. 

With businesses rapidly increasing their AI developments, the majority of the digital traffic is expected to be managed on cloud infrastructures from the leading vendors - AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. 

In coordination with the Madison County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA), AWS will establish multiple data centre units in two Madison County industrial parks, which is anticipated to create at least 1,000 new jobs in the state, according to Amazon.

The cloud computing company states that it has invested US$2.3bn in the state of Mississippi since 2010 to build its infrastructure, including five fulfilment and sortation centres. The funds have also contributed to solar farm and wind farm developments.

As part of these new data centres, AWS will work with schools in the state as part of the project to promote science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) subjects. Additionally, it will offer support at college (university) level to prepare job seekers for work in the data centre sector.

Amazon says: “We continuously invest in communities where Amazon and AWS operate by supporting local jobs, generating economic growth, providing skills training and education and unlocking opportunities for local businesses and suppliers.”

Helping to bridge the skills gap

AWS is not the only data centre committed to growing its data centre presence. Another company seeking to expand is Google, with the tech giant having announced plans to build a data centre in the South East of England, United Kingdom, for US$1bn.

Much like AWS, Google aims to increase its AI innovations and meet the digital demands of its customers. Aiming to support the local community where the facility will be located, Google also hopes to create new construction and technical jobs.

AWS will offer a free, ready to learn cloud computing curriculum that works with employer demand for specific skills and roles in cloud support, software development and data integration. This initiative also builds on AWS’ commitment to provide free cloud skills training to 29 million people worldwide.

It is the hope that this will also help to lessen the growing skills gap across the technology sector. Moving further into 2024, businesses will need to ensure that they are upskilling workforces, as well as investing in appropriate training and education programmes to stay are the forefront of cutting edge technologies.

“Since 2011, AWS has invested more than US$108bn in its infrastructure across the US to support customers of all kinds, and across all industries, in their digital transformation,” says Roger Wehner, Director of Economic Development at AWS.

“Building on this, we are excited to expand our operations into Mississippi through this planned investment, which will tap into the burgeoning tech sector across the state to create new, well-paying jobs and boost the state’s Gross Domestic Product each year. We look forward to delivering new workforce development opportunities and educational programmes that support the next generation of talent across the Magnolia State.”

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