Senator Dave McCormick from Pennsylvania has expressed optimism about a significant investment by Amazon aimed at transforming the state’s old coal regions into a thriving hub for artificial intelligence and cloud computing. This week, Amazon announced a groundbreaking $20 billion investment to build new data centers, marking the largest private sector investment in Pennsylvania’s history. McCormick, who grew up near Bloomsburg at the edge of Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region, noted that the scale of this investment is unprecedented and could revitalize the local economy.
Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro also highlighted the importance of Amazon’s commitment, stating that the investment will create jobs and ensure Pennsylvania’s role in the evolving AI landscape. He emphasized that this historic announcement secures opportunities for workers and generates new revenue for local communities. McCormick similarly underscored that Pennsylvania has the potential to become a “Data Center Mecca” due to its abundant energy resources and skilled workforce.
The investment comes as part of a broader strategy to address energy needs in Pennsylvania. McCormick acknowledged the challenges posed by the current energy grid and indicated the necessity of diversifying energy sources, including coal and natural gas. He emphasized the continual need for new production capacity to support the growing demands of such data centers.
The project is expected to create and save tens of thousands of jobs while bolstering surrounding areas, which have seen economic decline. The potential revitalization extends to historically industrial regions across Pennsylvania, enhancing local economies impacted by the downturn in traditional industries like coal. Overall, stakeholders believe that the shift towards AI and advanced technologies will breathe new life into these communities, fostering economic growth and stability.