AWS unveils $11 billion investment in Georgia data centres

AWS is creating a buzz in Georgia with plans to invest about $11 billion in building new data centres.

Announced in a blog post, the initiative underscores the tech giant’s effort to meet the growing demand for cloud computing and AI technologies. The investment is also expected to generate at least 550 new jobs, although the specific allocation of funds remains unclear.

Roger Wehner, AWS’s vice president of economic development, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion. He noted that Georgia’s business-friendly environment has enabled investments like this one. According to Wehner, the multibillion-dollar project will not only create high-paying jobs but also significantly benefit the state’s economy.

This isn’t AWS’s first major investment in Georgia. Since 2010, Amazon, AWS’s parent company, has invested $18.5 billion into the state. The latest venture will focus on Butts and Douglas Counties, signalling a significant boost for the local economy.

Local leaders are enthusiastic. Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, the Douglas County Commission chairwoman, called it a “historic day” for the county. She welcomed AWS’s advanced cloud computing technology and the promise of hundreds of high-tech jobs that will benefit the community.

In Butts County, Russ Crumbley, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, called the investment the largest in the county’s history. He praised the collaborative effort among local authorities and organisations that worked with AWS to guarantee that the project helps the community by improving infrastructure and boosting economic growth.

AWS has been preparing its investment for some time. In October 2024, the company acquired 118 acres in Douglas County, near Atlanta, for $37 million. This followed an earlier purchase of 430 acres in Covington, about 40 miles east of Atlanta. While AWS hasn’t confirmed if the Covington site will house a data centre, the acquisitions highlight its growing footprint in the state.

Earlier in 2024, AWS launched a cloud Local Zone in Atlanta, bringing computing infrastructure closer to businesses that need low-latency solutions. Local Zones frequently serve areas without a full cloud region, improving performance for applications that require close to real-time responses.

AWS isn’t the only tech giant eyeing Georgia’s potential. Microsoft is actively building data centres in the Atlanta area, with sites in East Point, Palmetto, and Douglasville. Google also has data centres in the state, though it hasn’t established a cloud region in Georgia.

Atlanta is fast becoming a hotspot for data centre development. Companies like Stream, Stack, DC Blox, and TA Realty are all working on major projects. According to a recent JLL report, Atlanta is the leading market for colocation capacity under construction.

As AWS deepens its roots in Georgia, it is evident that the state is establishing itself as a hub for cloud infrastructure and AI.

(Photo by panumas nikhomkhai)

See also: Microsoft outperforms Amazon and Google in cloud AI

Want to learn more about cybersecurity and the cloud from industry leaders? Check out Cyber Security & Cloud Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.