5 ways AWS Data Centers Benefit Local Communities

A new report finds that AWS has invested over $108 billion in cloud computing infrastructure in the U.S. since 2011 with a $38 billion economic impact, along with supporting nearly 30,000 local jobs.

In eastern Oregon alone, AWS has poured a total of $22.9 billion into its Morrow and Umatilla county data centers from 2012-2022, directly employing nearly 1,000 full-time employees and further supporting more than 5,000 local workers at AWS and a variety of external businesses. In total, AWS’s data center investments have added more than $6.4 billion to Oregon’s state gross domestic production, according to the new AWS Economic Impact Study.

Among its commitments to the communities it works in, AWS has also pledged to be water positive by 2030—returning more water to communities than its data centers use. In Oregon, for example, the company already provides up to 96% of the cooling water from its data centers to local farmers at no charge for use in irrigating crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat.

“We remain steadfast in our commitments to our customers, to our communities, and to the planet, and as we continue to grow and invest in these communities, we will strive to build a better future together,” said AWS CEO Adam Selipsky.

Beyond AWS’s economic impact, the company is deeply committed to local communities through such programs as its AWS InCommunities initiative, which promotes STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) for K-12 grade students through specialized labs. So far, more than 50,000 students at 25 schools across the U.S. have taken part in the program.

AWS InCommunities has donated $2 million to organizations in eastern Oregon, The donations help support everything from the Eastern Oregon Mission, a community food bank that serves the greater Hermiston, Oregon region; to the Umatilla School District Robotics Program; to Greater Oregon STEM, which drives several initiatives, including the mailing of STEM kits for 4th graders in eastern Oregon; a Mobile Makers Lab; and an updated lending library for local schools.

To inspire diversity in the technology field, AWS also hosts “AWS Girls' Tech Day” at sites across the nation, including Oregon. The program aims to educate, inspire, and empower girls and young women aged 8 to 24 to pursue careers in technology.

Additionally, the Data Center Technician program, created in partnership with community colleges including Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, offers scholarships and training to people with no previous experience who are interested in pursuing careers in cloud computing.

AWS is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud computing company providing on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet to millions of customers. AWS offers more than 240 fully featured services from data centers globally.