• Amazon will invest $12 billion to build new AI and cloud data center campuses in Louisiana, strengthening its infrastructure capabilities.
• The project is expected to create 540 full-time jobs and support about 1,700 additional positions tied to construction and operations.

Key Facts

• The campuses will be developed in Caddo and Bossier Parishes in partnership with Stack Infrastructure and coordinated with Southwestern Electric Power Company for energy needs.
• Amazon plans $200 billion in capital expenditures this year, surpassing rivals such as Microsoft and Google in cloud and AI expansion spending.

Background

Amazon said Monday it will invest $12 billion to build new data center campuses in Louisiana to expand its artificial intelligence and cloud computing operations. The campuses will be located in Caddo and Bossier Parishes in the northwestern part of the state.

The company said the project will create 540 full-time jobs at the data centers. It also expects to support around 1,700 additional jobs linked to the sites, including electricians, HVAC technicians, and security workers.

Amazon’s latest move comes as tech companies increase spending to meet rising demand for AI services. Earlier this month, Amazon said it expects to spend $200 billion in capital expenditures this year. This amount is higher than that of any other major cloud provider. Together, large tech firms have projected nearly $700 billion in capital spending in 2026.

Much of Amazon’s planned investment will go toward AI-related efforts, such as building data centers, developing chips, and expanding networking equipment. Companies are racing to expand their infrastructure as businesses seek to run advanced AI models.

Amazon joins rivals such as Microsoft and Google, which have also invested heavily in large data center projects. Meta Platforms recently chose Louisiana for its $27 billion Hyperion data center project in partnership with Blue Owl Capital.

However, rapid data center expansion has raised concerns in some communities. Residents have argued that such facilities consume large amounts of electricity and water, which can affect local resources and quality of life. Last year, Microsoft withdrew from a proposed site in rural Wisconsin after facing environmental and financial concerns.

Amazon said it worked closely with Southwestern Electric Power Company to ensure it covers all costs related to new and upgraded energy infrastructure. The company added that it will use natural air cooling where possible to reduce electricity use.

The Louisiana facilities will use surplus water from the surrounding area, according to Amazon. The company plans to invest up to $400 million in public water infrastructure. Amazon is partnering with Stack Infrastructure to develop the campuses.