The cloud computing division of Amazon.com (AMZN.O), which just opened a new tab, said that it will invest $11 billion in Indiana to construct data centers, the biggest capital investment in the state and a guarantee of at least 1,000 employment.
With 26,000 full- and part-time employees, Amazon Web Services already has a significant presence in the state; its statement on Thursday strengthens that position.
The new buildings, which will be constructed in north-central Indiana’s St. Joseph County, will house computer technology that powers generative artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The number of data centers that Amazon planned to create was not disclosed.
In an attempt to take advantage of what is anticipated to be the sector’s next major growth driver, large technology companies have been vying over the last year to construct the data centers required to power apps like OpenAI’s viral ChatGPT.
The business said that for qualified capital investments made over a 50-year period, the Indiana Economic Development Corp (IEDC) will grant sales tax exemptions for Amazon Web Services data centers.
Additionally, the IEDC has committed to provide a number of performance-based incentives, such as tax credits worth up to $18.3 million based on headcount, training grants worth up to $5 million, and tax credits worth up to $55 million based on Hoosier Business Investment.
