Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that Amazon Web Services is expanding its data center operations in central Ohio making the second-largest single private sector investment in Ohio’s history.
DeWine said that Amazon Web Services will invest an estimated $7.8 billion by the end of 2029 expanding its data center operations in the state and creating hundreds of new jobs. The new data centers will be equipped with networking hardware, computer servers, data storage devices, and other types of technology infrastructure needed to support cloud computing.
According to DeWine, the investment by Amazon continues growth in technology and innovation in Ohio.
“Amazon is already one of the largest private-sector employers in Ohio, and the company’s continued growth here further cements Ohio as the heart of our nation’s technology and innovation. As more of the world relies on cloud computing, this investment will build on Amazon’s current infrastructure in Ohio to help new and existing businesses grow, allow residents to securely connect to friends and family, and provide access to online educational resources and entertainment,” DeWine said.
Husted said that this investment positions Ohio as a critical location for the most discussed technology in the world, artificial intelligence.
“This enormous capital investment further solidifies Ohio as the tech center of the Midwest and positions us for a bright future as cloud computing and artificial intelligence are more integrated into the economy and our everyday lives,” he said.
In 2016, Amazon Web Services opened its first data centers in the Midwest; today, these campuses are located in Franklin and Licking counties. To this point, Amazon Web Services operations and investments has generated over $2 billion for the state of Ohio and created over 3,000 local supplemental jobs. Amazon Web Services directly employed nearly 1,000 Ohioans in 2022.
According to Amazon Web Services Director of Economic Development Roger Wehner, Amazon is proud to reinforce its long-term commitment to the state of Ohio.
“This additional investment will bring new, well-paying jobs and will continue to boost the state’s Gross Domestic Product each year. We are excited to continue our partnership with the state of Ohio, and deliver new workforce development and educational programs that support the next generation of talent by emphasizing collaborative, long-term public and private partnerships across the state,” Wehner said.
Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik called Amazon’s investment “a big win.”
“Ohio has a strong future in the technology sector and the more we’re able to help companies that are already here expand their investments only strengthens the state’s position,” Mihalik said.
Amazon Web Services is working with JobsOhio, One Columbus, and other county and local economic development teams to promote the expansion.
JobsOhio President and CEO JP Nauseef said that JobsOhio looks “forward to building our partnership with Amazon Web Services as Ohio continues to make its mark in this important sector.”
According to the press release, Amazon Web Services will make final site selections for the new data center campuses at a later time. They are currently considering several central Ohio communities.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mike DeWine” by Mike DeWine. Photo “Jon Husted” by Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted. Background Photo “Amazon Web Services” by ajay_suresh. CC BY 2.0.
