Construction is seen at an Amazon Web Services data center on Aug. 22, 2024, in Boardman, Ore. Associated Press file photo

Questions remain amid the excitement surrounding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent announcement of $20 billion in new investment from Amazon to build two artificial intelligence centers in the commonwealth.

Statements released by both the governor’s office and Amazon explicitly say that Amazon is currently weighing whether to make similar investments in other local municipalities.

Another round of Amazon financing could permanently alter a region’s economic future, based on Monday’s announcement that outlines Salem Township and Falls Township as the “first” recipients of the investment, which will create over 1,250 jobs.

While “multiple additional Pennsylvania communities are under consideration,” according to Amazon, no one knows what’s next for the online commerce giant’s investment portfolio.

Smaller companies show interest

Steve McKnight, president/CEO of Altoona Blair County Development Corp., said he has not heard of interest from Amazon specifically, but smaller companies are considering the region as a site for future development.

“There has been interest from data center representatives in Blair County. It is a very active time as they evaluate energy availability, supply and overall site readiness here and throughout the commonwealth,” McKnight said, adding that this interest is ongoing.

Amy Bradley, president/CEO of the Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce, said that the investment in new data centers is “great for Pennsylvania,” but she hasn’t heard about any interest from Amazon about developing in Cambria County.

Looking south, Bedford County Development Association Vice President Jennifer Marsh has heard similar radio silence on any potential Amazon AI investment.

In Huntingdon, MacKenzie Huntsman, president/CEO of the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce, said she is unaware of any interest from Amazon or any other AI company in that county.

According to Todd Dolbin, vice president of economic development for the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, the only local Amazon investment the chamber is aware of is a 125,000 square foot local distribution facility located in Benner Township near Bellefonte which will open this fall.

Amazon currently operates 23 fulfillment and sorting centers and 20 last-mile delivery stations across Pennsylvania, not including the two new data center campuses.

The company has also made “significant” investments in 12 renewable power projects and onsite solar generation capacity, according to a release.

According to Shapiro spokesperson Manuel Bonder, “Amazon chose Pennsylvania because of our abundant energy resources, track record of innovation, skilled workforce and our ability to move quickly on permitting and site development.”

Harrisburg will commit $10 million to support targeted workforce development efforts across Pennsylvania as a part of the deal, Bonder said, which will help meet the demand driven by these data centers.

“The specific details of how that funding will be driven to local workforce development initiatives are still being determined,” he said.

Bonder did not respond to questions regarding which communities are being considered for future investment, how these communities are assessed or to legal and environmental concerns about the AI industry.

Amazon did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.