On June 15, Amazon officially announced that it will invest billions of dollars to build a data center campus in Montgomery County, Missouri, USA, with an expected creation of more than 400 full-time jobs (including network experts, project engineers, and others) and thousands of construction-period positions, and will invest more than $7 million in local community infrastructure upgrades.
$7 million Community Investment Details
According to Amazon’s official announcement, the confirmed community investments of more than $7 million are as follows:
Transportation infrastructure: Upgrade multiple roads; build a new bridge over the railroad at Ellis Road (to address residents’ traffic problems caused by trains stopping at level crossings)
Public safety: Invest $3 million to strengthen emergency dispatch services
Community event space: Sponsor more than $1 million to create a brand-new large gathering space for the County Fairgrounds
Educational innovation: Set up a community fund with an initial scale of $150,000, and work with the local school district to introduce the “Amazon Think Big Program” STEM education initiative, providing $50,000 in teacher grants
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said this investment demonstrates strong confidence in the Missouri workforce and business environment. Amazon Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer David Zapolsky said: “We listen to community needs and are committed to building long-term partnerships, ensuring that the community becomes more prosperous and better because of Amazon’s presence.”
Sustainability by the Numbers: 138 MW of clean energy, 0.1% water intake
The sustainability metrics confirmed in the official announcement are:
Water intake: Even under full-capacity operation, water intake is below 0.1% of the annual replenishment of the local aquifer
Water-free cooling proportion: About 90% of operating time uses free air cooling; only during the 7% of time with the most extreme temperatures are traditional water cooling systems activated
Rainwater collection: Expected to supply 20% of annual water demand, with a recycle capability of up to 6 times reuse of water resources
Clean energy: Amazon’s carbon-neutral energy investment in Missouri has generated 138 MW of clean energy, enough to supply more than 28,000 households
Energy costs: Amazon has reached an agreement with Ameren Missouri such that Amazon fully covers all energy costs for the data center and does not pass them on to residential users
Arable Labs agriculture technology collaboration details
Amazon announced a collaboration with agricultural technology company Arable Labs, using AWS cloud computing and IoT sensor technology to optimize local farm irrigation, which is expected to save up to 100 million gallons of agricultural water per year for the local watershed (equivalent to 150 Olympic-standard swimming pools).
This collaboration is part of Amazon’s move toward the global climate goal of “Water positive by 2030.” Amazon also announced that the completed modernized water supply system will be donated free of charge to the local first public water service district, expanding the county’s water service coverage.
FAQ
What is the exact amount Amazon will invest in Montgomery County, Missouri?
Based on the official announcement, Amazon said it will invest “billions of dollars” but did not disclose the exact figure. The confirmed community investment amount is more than $7 million, to be used for infrastructure such as roads, bridges, public safety, and education.
How does the 90% water-free cooling technology for the data center work?
According to the official explanation, about 90% of operating time uses “free air cooling” technology, which directly uses outside air for cooling without consuming water resources; only during the 7% of time when temperatures are most extreme is the traditional water cooling system activated. Even under full-power operation, water intake remains below 0.1% of the local aquifer’s annual replenishment.
How many households can Amazon’s 138 MW of clean energy supply?
According to Amazon’s official announcement, its carbon-neutral energy project investment in Missouri can currently generate 138 MW of clean energy, enough to supply households for more than 28,000 homes.
