The company with the most Ohio data centers is expanding its facilities in New Albany.
Amazon Web Services marked the opening of its two newest data centers on Aug. 7, part of a $3.5 billion investment in Licking County that the tech giant announced in 2023. That’s in addition to the $6.2 billion the tech giant invested in New Albany between 2015-2024. Across the entire state, Amazon has invested more than $19.7 billion in data center infrastructure since 2015, the company reported.
The company has completed construction and staffing for two of five data centers and related buildings totaling 1.25 million square feet on 85 of 439 acres that the company bought along Beech and Miller roads in January 2023.
Roger Wehner, vice president of economic development at Amazon Web Services, said New Albany is the heart of an emerging tech ecosystem that continues to grow and evolve. Wehner cited the clear vision of central Ohio leaders, Ohio’s talent pool and utility partners such as AEP Ohio as to why the company continues to expand in Ohio.
“I would say that that growth is never a foregone conclusion. We continue to grow a lot of other places, too. What’s been differentiated here is in a lot of different cases where challenges have arisen, both sides have rolled up their sleeves, problem solved, and that’s one of the main reasons we continue to grow here,” he said.
Amazon, which already has 56 data centers planned or in operation in Ohio, continues to pour billions into the Buckeye State. In December 2024, the company announced it will invest $10 billion in Ohio data centers by 2030 — beyond the billions the company already announced.
In March, Marysville City Council approved an agreement with Amazon that will result in the company investing $1 billion there by 2030.
Amazon touted its commitment to central Ohio by donating $200,000 to the 185,890-square-foot New Albany Parks and Recreation’s fieldhouse and community center, underway at the northwest corner of Bevelhymer Road and Walnut Street. The company’s donation will go toward a new Amazon Think Big Space, which will provide hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiences for students and community members of all ages.
The company also launched a $100,000 local grant program to support Franklin County and Licking County nonprofits, schools and community organizations focused on STEM, sustainability, skills training and social impact. Awardees will be notified in mid-September and provided $50,000 to the New Albany Community Foundation.
Eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Amazon Web Services opens 2 data centers as part of $3.5 billion investment in New Albany
Reporting by Maria DeVito, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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