BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — More data centers are popping up throughout the commonwealth thanks to a rise in AI and cloud computing infrastructure. Governor Josh Shapiro announced Monday morning a massive investment into the industry right in our backyards.
The governor announced earlier Monday a massive investment into AI and cloud computing infrastructure across the commonwealth, including right here in NEPA.
"Pennsylvania is back on the field, and Pennsylvania is winning again," Governor Shapiro explained.
Governor Shapiro visited Berwick Monday morning to announce the commonwealth's partnership with Amazon to improve AI and cloud computing infrastructure.
Governor Shapiro says Amazon will be investing at least $20,000,000,000 into the project, the largest private sector investment in the commonwealth's history.
"An initial investment of at least $20,000,000,000 in multiple state-of-the-art data centers across our commonwealth that will power our global economy and the future of artificial intelligence," Governor Shapiro added.
The project will include two new data centers, one in Falls Township in Bucks County, the other, right in NEPA, in Salem Township, Luzerne County.
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The move will create roughly 1,250 permanent jobs between the two sites.
The residents 28/22 News spoke to are hopeful.
"I think it's going to be a good thing. Right now, I think there are a lot of questions, I think it's up in the air as far as, you know, what is going to be the reality of it when it's all said and done. But you know, for the most part, from what I gather it's going to mean a lot of money to this area," Berwick resident Jamie Slusser said.
Nepa used to be a hotspot for industry and development with a global footprint.
With the coal and steel industries, Governor Shapiro says this investment may be a fresh start for NEPA and the commonwealth as a whole.
"For too long, we have watched as towns across Pennsylvania got hollowed out and left behind. No more. Now is the time to rebuild those communities and invest in them," Governor Shapiro continued.
Residents say while there are still a lot of questions about what the project means for the community, they're hopeful for the future.
"We've been through this before with the power plant, you know, so hopefully their promises will- they'll follow through with them," Slusser stated.
When 28/22 News asked Governor Shapiro when the project was expected to begin construction, he responded, "yesterday."
