CENTRAL OHIO
AWS WORKS TO HELP CENTRAL OHIO BUILD THE SILICON HEARTLAND
As the Silicon Heartland conti- nues to emerge in Ohio, Amazon Web Services is excited to deliver much more than the data centers it has been building here for more than a decade. Schools, local busi- nesses, state and regional econo- mies, communities and the envi- ronment are key beneficiaries of AWS and its expanding investment in the regions where it operates. AWS, the world’s most com- prehensive and broadly adopted cloud computing platform, has grown since 2011 to offer more than 200 services from data centers arou- nd the globe, allowing startups, large established enterprises and leading government agencies to ac- cess cost-effective, fast and efficient computing, data storage and data- base technologies. Now, a new Economic Impact Study shows AWS has invested more than $108 billion in cloud computing infrastructure across the United States and contributed nearly $38 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product while supporting some 30,000 jobs through its spen- ding for construction, connection, maintenance and operation of data centers. Ohio is a critical hub for AWS, hosting multiple data centers that have boosted the state’s GDP by more than $2.2 billion from 2015 through 2022. Another $7.8 billion will be invested by 2030 as AWS plans to expand its Ohio data center operations, including $3.5 billion more in New Albany. This will add hundreds of new direct jobs and thousands of indirect positions to the 3,500 full-time equivalent jobs that AWS already supports annually
in Ohio. But these indicators, as immen- sely impressive as they are, are only part of the story of the positive im- pact AWS is driving across Ohio and the nation. AWS is dedicated not only to building and staffing data centers today but also to developing the talent it will need for tomor- row’s workforce and supporting the communities in which it operates. Examples of AWS’ commitment to future generations include its 18 Think Big Space sites in Central Ohio, where 26,000 students from kindergarten through grade 12 get hands-on opportunities in AWS learning labs promoting science, te- chnology, engineering, arts and ma- thematics (STEAM) education. And AWS also works to inspire girls and young women to consider technolo- gy careers, offering a free half-day event, Girls’ Tech Day, which attrac- ted 400 girls from fifth through eigh- th grade in participating Columbus schools in 2022. For older students and young adults, AWS Academy gives Ohio colleges and universities free curri- cula ready to teach cloud computing to help students achieve industry- -recognized certifications and land highly sought jobs. Columbus State Community College, Miami Univer- sity and the University of Cincinna- ti are among those offering the AWS curricula. In addition, Columbus State part- nered with AWS to add a new Data Center Technician Training Pro- gram that includes a $50,000 AWS- -sponsored scholarship fund and opportunities for students to start their careers at local AWS data cen- ters. Another pathway to data cen-
ter careers with on-the-job-training and internships is AWS’ Grow Our Own Talent program. The state’s legislative leaders are taking notice. “Events like Girls’ Tech Day are important because they reinforce the message that we want, and need, more women to be part of these fields,” said Ohio State Senator Stephanie Kunze, R-Hilliard. “It’s critical that we keep developing and encouraging their talent, so they can seize the oppor- tunities available to them in tech.” Just as impressive as our work- force development efforts is AWS’ exemplary environmental steward- ship. AWS has committed to be using 100% renewable energy by 2025—five years ahead of our ori- ginal target of 2030. This will also mean more renewable energy for electricity grids without adding cos- ts to local energy users. AWS also pledges to be “water positive” by 2030—returning more water to communities than our data centers use, such as by using recy- cled water for data center cooling. The AWS advantage is clear: through the direct infrastructure investment and jobs that it provi- des, the workforce development it promotes and the ripple effect of employment growth not only in its supply chain but also the small and medium-sized local businesses, professional services and restau- rants that AWS employees support. Ohio is better with Amazon Web Services as its partner in building the Silicon Heartland. Roger Wehner is AWS Director of Economic Development.
NEWS MAGAZINE
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