Jun. 9—BERWICK — Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Luke Bernstein and others on Monday issued statements in response to Amazon’s announcement of a $20 billion investment to build new data center campuses across the Commonwealth.
“Amazon’s $20 billion investment proves what’s possible when we focus on making Pennsylvania more competitive by modernizing our permitting and regulatory processes and creating a tax environment where businesses want to invest, grow, and hire talented people,” Bernstein said. “The PA Chamber is proud to count Amazon as a valued and engaged member, and we thank them for this historic investment.
“We commend Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, and Pennsylvania’s elected leaders who continue to support public policies that position our Commonwealth to compete for — and win — transformational investments like this one.
“This is the kind of momentum we’ve been working toward, and we’re just getting started,” he said.
Luzerne County manager releases statement
“Inspired by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s leadership, we are rolling up our sleeves and getting stuff done. Our community is thriving, and we can’t wait to welcome the governor to Luzerne County,” Romilda Crocamo, Luzerne County manager, said Monday.
“Together, we’re building a prosperous future and showcasing all the incredible opportunities our region has to offer. We are committed to advancing technology while also preserving the stunning natural beauty that makes our region so special.
“By embracing cutting-edge solutions, we’re ensuring a bright future that harmonizes progress with the environment. Together, with the support of our Governor, we’re paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous community.
LCCC President adds in
Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak applauded the work of Shapiro and the region’s state legislators who have championed efforts to attract billions of dollars in economic investment from global technology companies, like Amazon/AWS, that will create thousands of new jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
As the former state senator and chairman of the Pennsylvania State Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, Yudichak said he worked on the passage of Act 25 of 2021 that established data center tax exemption to serve as a economic incentive to attract data center development to Pennsylvania.
At the time of the passage of the data center tax exemption, Yudichak said Steve DelBianco, President and CEO of NetChoice, a trade association of America’s leading online businesses, said, “This (tax incentive) puts Pennsylvania on top of the list of states whose tax policies embrace the investment and jobs that come with large-scale data centers.”
“Luzerne County Community College stands at the ready to be the region’s workforce development pipeline by producing the necessary technology and skilled trade workers to meet the demands of a 21st-century Pennsylvania economy through its new Career & Technology Academy, its Applied Technology Programs, and the new LCCC Microcredential Academy,” Yudichak said.
With the support of a $1 million Dual Credit Innovation grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the $100,000 scholarship gift from entrepreneur William Rinaldi, LCCC recently launched its Career & Technology Academy — a first-of-its kind opportunity for more than 2,000 high schools students in the Hazleton Career Center, the Wilkes-Barre Career and Technical Center and the West Side Career and Technical Center to earn a college degree or credential while still in high school.
“Gov. Shapiro’s higher education reforms have inspired Luzerne County Community College to develop innovative educational partnerships with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the Pennsylvania Commission on Community Colleges, and with local career and technical high schools to establish the most accessible, most affordable pathways for Pennsylvanians to earn a college degree or post-secondary credential and build a career in a high wage, high demand profession,” Yudichak said.
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick applauds investment
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, attended the ceremony in Berwick and he applauded Amazon’s newly announced $20 billion investment in Pennsylvania. He said the investment is the largest economic development project in Pennsylvania history and will fund the construction of data center campuses in Luzerne and Bucks Counties, creating thousands of jobs in the Keystone State.
“I’m grateful to Amazon, Gov. Josh Shapiro, and leaders across all levels of government for working to secure this historic investment for the Commonwealth,” McCormick said. “Our state’s vast energy resources, combined with our skilled workforce, plentiful water, proximity to major population centers, and elite research institutions, make Pennsylvania a perfect base to power America’s innovative technological future through data centers like these. This investment will create thousands of jobs and bring critical workforce training programs to Pennsylvania.”
McCormick added, “This commitment to Pennsylvania by Amazon is just the beginning and builds a massive amount of momentum as we approach my inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh next month,” McCormick continued. “This event will bring together elected officials, leading energy and AI companies, global investors, and labor leaders to ensure that Pennsylvania is at the forefront of attracting data center investment and creating good jobs through the AI revolution.”
NEPA on cusp of economic development renaissance, local leader says
“Today’s announcement by Amazon Web Services to invest in Luzerne County marks a generational opportunity,” John Augustine, President/CEO at Penn’s Northeast, said. “Penn’s Northeast is proud to have played a role working with our economic development partners to assist AWS.
“Our office is working with additional companies looking to invest billions more in data centers across NEPA. Today’s announcement marks the beginning of future opportunities for the region.
“We expect today to be just one of many exciting future announcements regarding new data centers in Northeastern Pa. We look forward to the thousands of family sustaining jobs and tremendous investment they will bring with them,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser weighs in
“I was pleased to be able to attend today’s economic development announcement in Berwick, where Amazon confirmed a major investment that’s been in the works for more than three and a half years,” Meuser said.
“In the past year, I’ve visited the site twice to support this exciting project for data centers — meeting with Amazon and local officials. I’m happy to see Amazon make this very large, significant investment in our region.”
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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
