AWS Invests in Sunbury, Ohio for Future Data Center Development
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made a significant investment in Ohio by purchasing a $44 million parcel of land for its upcoming $2 billion data center campus in Sunbury. This move solidifies AWS’s long-term commitment to expanding its data center presence in the region, further strengthening Ohio’s position as a key hub for tech infrastructure.
Details of the Land Purchase and Financial Commitment
On December 30, 2024, AWS acquired the Galena property in Delaware County, Ohio, for a sum of $44,374,040 (approximately $53.9 million). Located at 11793 Vans Valley Road, the site is set to accommodate AWS’s ambitious data center plans, which are expected to total a $10 billion investment in Ohio.
AWS Plans for the Sunbury Data Center Campus
The proposed data center campus in Sunbury is a significant part of AWS’s broader strategy to expand its data center network across the United States. According to AWS, the first building on the campus, which will span 450,000 square feet (41,800 square meters), is slated to break ground in January 2028, with a completion target set for 2034.
Economic Incentives for AWS’s Ohio Investment
The Sunbury City Council has played a vital role in attracting AWS to the region by approving a comprehensive economic development package. This package includes a community reinvestment area incentive, which offers property tax exemptions for any buildings constructed at the site. Specifically, AWS will receive an 87.5% exemption on property taxes for the first 15 years, followed by a 75% exemption for the subsequent 15 years.
Ohio Becomes a Major Data Center Hub
AWS’s new data center campus is part of a broader trend in Ohio, which has become an increasingly attractive location for data center operators. Alongside AWS, other major companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and QTS have established or announced new data centers in the state. In 2024, Microsoft committed to investing $1 billion in a data center campus in Central Ohio, signaling the area’s growing importance in the global data center market.
AWS’s Broader Data Center Strategy in Ohio
AWS’s investment in Sunbury is part of an even larger commitment to Ohio’s data center infrastructure. Last year, the company announced plans to invest $7.8 billion in the state by 2030, with $3.5 billion earmarked for the New Albany area. This will contribute to the construction of a multi-building data center campus, further solidifying Ohio’s role as a tech infrastructure powerhouse.
Key Takeaways
- AWS’s Ohio Investment: AWS has purchased a $44 million property for a $2 billion data center campus in Sunbury, Ohio, marking a major expansion in the state.
- Economic Incentives: The project benefits from an economic development package, providing significant tax exemptions.
- Ohio’s Growing Data Center Landscape: With investments from AWS, Microsoft, and others, Ohio is rapidly becoming a critical data center hub in the U.S.
- Future Development Timeline: The first building of AWS’s Sunbury campus is expected to break ground in January 2028, with completion projected for 2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is AWS investing in Ohio for its data centers?
AWS is capitalizing on Ohio’s strategic location, favorable tax incentives, and growing tech infrastructure to expand its data center footprint. The state offers access to key markets while providing cost-effective advantages.
2. How much is AWS investing in the Sunbury campus?
AWS plans to invest approximately $2 billion in its new data center campus in Sunbury, Ohio, with the first building set to span 450,000 square feet.
3. What is the timeline for the Sunbury data center campus?
Construction of the first building at the Sunbury campus is scheduled to begin in January 2028, with expected completion in 2034.
4. What economic incentives did AWS receive for the project?
AWS was granted property tax exemptions as part of a community reinvestment area incentive, which provides an 87.5% tax break for the first 15 years, followed by a 75% break for the next 15 years.
5. What other companies are investing in Ohio’s data center market?
In addition to AWS, companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and QTS are investing heavily in Ohio, contributing to the state’s rapid growth as a data center hub.
