Amazon plans $15B data center investment in Northern Indiana

Amazon announced a massive investment of $15 billion to build new data center campuses in Northern Indiana, aiming to advance cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities. The project is expected to generate 1,100 new high-skilled jobs and support thousands of additional roles throughout the data center supply chain for residents of Northern Indiana and South Chicago, according to Amazon’s announcement Monday. The development will add up to three gigawatts of data center capacity to the region, signaling a long-term commitment to the area that could mean more investment in the future.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun hailed the investment as a significant win, noting in the announcement that the project will foster a surplus in new energy development that translates into real savings for local residents. According to the press release, since 2010, Amazon has pumped more than $31.3 billion into the South Chicago and Northern Indiana region, contributing nearly $30 billion to GDP while supporting 25,000 full- and part-time employees alongside thousands of indirect jobs.

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Beyond infrastructure, Amazon also stated it is planning comprehensive community investments in education and workforce training. Initiatives include data center technician programs, fiber optic fusion splicing workshops, and STEM education enrichment for K-12 students. Ivy Tech Community College will integrate these programs into its curriculum, helping prepare the next generation of Midwest cloud computing professionals. These workforce development efforts complement Amazon’s overarching goal of powering innovations in AI and cloud services in the region.

The exact locations of the campuses are still under negotiation, with Amazon aiming to have the new data centers operational by 2027. As reported by WGN, this latest commitment builds on Amazon’s previous $11 billion investment in St. Joseph County, Indiana, further solidifying the region's role as a hub for technological advancement.