Amazon has committed $20 billion to build two new innovation campuses in Pennsylvania—one in Salem Township, Luzerne County, and the other in Falls Township just outside Philadelphia. While construction dates are still being set, Amazon expects to create at least 1,250 specialized roles—data-center engineers, network architects, operations leads and security analysts—and thousands more throughout its AWS supply chain.
Building Local Tech Talent
Beyond concrete and steel, Amazon is investing heavily in workforce-training programs to prepare Pennsylvanians for these high-skilled positions. State leaders say the initiative will deliver well-paid, stable jobs and inject fresh economic energy into the host communities, all while strengthening U.S. leadership in cloud computing and AI.
Meeting Gigawatt-Scale Power Needs
Operating massive data centers requires vast, reliable energy. Last year Amazon paid $650 million for land adjacent to the Susquehanna nuclear plant and secured roughly 40 percent of its output at a premium rate. Federal regulators are now reviewing the deal to ensure local residents aren’t unfairly deprived of electricity.
Balancing Growth with Grid Reliability
As AI workloads surge, providers and utilities must forge transparent partnerships that keep the lights on for everyone. Amazon’s Susquehanna arrangement illustrates the need for energy-sharing models that support both corporate innovation and community access.
Lessons for Tech and Energy Policy
Amazon’s push into Pennsylvania highlights a new reality: in today’s tech race, power—not just land or data—has become the critical bottleneck. By pairing workforce development with smart energy planning, Pennsylvania offers a blueprint for regions across the country looking to foster sustainable AI growth.