Amazon has announced a significant investment in communities near its data centers, with plans to spend $1 billion over the next five years through its 'Built Together' program.
The program will focus on education, job training, and local priorities, with investments including spending on energy affordability, water and energy preservation, and other community initiatives.
What happened
The announcement comes after President Donald Trump urged the technology industry to ensure local residents reap the benefits of development, vowing that "very smart companies are going to be making massive contributions to communities" where they are building data centers.
Amazon's cloud computing division will disperse the $1 billion through its 'Built Together' program, which aims to put "communities in the driver's seat" and address concerns that data centers will strain resources.
The community investments will include funding for local college courses and vocational training, grants for energy- and water-efficiency improvements, and funding for projects selected in consultation with local officials, nonprofit groups, and residents.
Other tech companies have also started offering benefits to communities where they operate, as opposition to data centers intensifies in the United States, with Meta's data center in Louisiana providing $50,000 bonuses for local teachers.
