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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Amazon Eyes Columbus, Ohio, Region To Invest $1.1 Billion In Data Centers-Other Facilities

06/02/2015
According to state officials, Amazon is planning to invest $1.1 billion on data centers and other facilities in Columbus communities of Dublin, Hillard and New Albany, which is expected to create 1,000 new jobs in Ohio.

Last year the state approved $81 million in tax incentives over 15 years for Vadata, an Amazon subsidiary. The incentives include a $77 million for the sales-tax exemption and $4 million for payroll tax credits. The company also reported it will start collecting Ohio sales tax on customer purchases.

In return Amazon, which did not provide specifics, will reportedly spend about $1.1 billion over the next three years on developing data centers for its Amazon Web Services, as well as adding other facilities like fulfillment centers, according to state officials and published reports.

“This is just a huge deal for us,” said Governor John Kasich said. “Amazon has committed to developing facilities in Ohio for its AWS cloud, as well as facilities such as fulfillment centers to support its other businesses, and plans to create several hundred million dollars in investment and more than 1,000 jobs in the state over the next few years,” JobsOhio officials said.

Dublin, Ohio, officials recently approved development plans for a data-processing center on a 70-acre plot of land. Dublin offered Amazon land valued at $6.8 million and performance incentives worth up to $500,000 over ten years. Meanwhile Hilliard provided tax abatement valued at $5.4 million, wage tax rebates and permit fee waivers. Orange is rezoning a parcel of land for data center use. The New Albany, Ohio, International Business Park is another township expected to host an Amazon site.

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