This photo, taken on September 6, 2012, shows the Amazon logo at one of the company’s locations in Santa Monica, California. (AP Photo by Reed Saxon)
Amazon is gearing up to build a massive $10 billion cloud computing and AI campus in North Carolina’s Richmond County — a rural area that has long struggled to recover from the collapse of its once-thriving textile industry. The tech giant says this move will create at least 500 jobs while boosting thousands more in construction and supply chains.
The planned development marks one of the largest single investments in North Carolina’s history. According to Governor Josh Stein, this initiative not only promises high-paying, tech-focused employment but could also place the state at the forefront of artificial intelligence advancement in the U.S.
While North Carolina already hosts major data centers, including those owned by Apple, Amazon’s new campus is expected to dramatically transform Richmond County, home to roughly 42,000 people. Nestled near the South Carolina border, the area will now become a key player in next-generation tech development.
Amazon announced that the new center will hire engineers, security professionals, and other skilled tech workers. The company also pledged to collaborate with local universities, community colleges, and training institutions to prepare residents for careers in data center operations and broadband expansion.
“This investment will shape North Carolina into a key technology hub,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer. “We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with local leaders and educators to grow a skilled workforce for tomorrow.”
To support this ambitious project, Richmond County commissioners approved an incentives package that offers annual cash grants for 20 years. These grants will be based on the property taxes paid on land, equipment, and vehicles — but only if Amazon meets its job and investment targets.
County Manager Bryan Land expressed enthusiasm at Tuesday’s meeting, calling the project a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He emphasized that the required upgrades to infrastructure — including the water supply, Rockingham’s wastewater system, and the county’s fibre-optic network — would come at no extra cost to local taxpayers.
Governor Stein hailed the initiative as a major leap toward technological progress. “Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we work and live,” he said during a public event in Hamlet, where the project was formally announced. “North Carolina is ready to lead in this transformation by welcoming companies like Amazon.”
This innovation campus will be equipped with advanced technology — from powerful servers to state-of-the-art networking gear — to support Amazon’s cloud and AI operations. The company said it has already funnelled $12 billion into North Carolina since 2010, generating over 24,000 full-time and part-time jobs.
Now, with this new mega investment, Richmond County is poised for a tech-powered rebirth.
