Amazon to Invest $12 Billion in Mississippi Data Centers
Amazon announced it will invest $12 billion to develop two additional data centers in Mississippi. This increases the company’s total data center campuses in the state to eight and raises its overall investment in Mississippi to $25 billion, according to the company.
Amazon said it will fund the necessary energy infrastructure and upgrades, which are expected to improve the electrical grid for all residents without increasing rates for customers. Katherine Lin, a company spokesperson, noted that Amazon plans to spend a total of $200 billion nationwide this year on capital projects, primarily focused on data centers and chips for artificial intelligence. Last year, Amazon spent about $130 billion on similar projects.
Other tech giants, including Google and Meta, have also announced increased spending on AI infrastructure, signaling a significant industry push toward advanced technology and data processing capabilities. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, the state’s Department of Employment Security reported layoffs in the first quarter, including 73 jobs at the Amplify Battery Plant and more than 200 jobs at GXO Logistics in DeSoto County after xAI purchased two warehouses from the company.
Additionally, Greenwood Leflore Hospital warned of potential large-scale layoffs ahead of its planned closure on June 15, as the hospital filed for bankruptcy. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality recently approved a permit for xAI’s permanent gas turbines, despite ongoing legal challenges from residents and nonprofits. The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against xAI, alleging the company’s use of temporary turbines in Southaven is illegal.
Other upcoming events include the Mississippi Energy Expo & Job Fair on April 21 at the Biloxi Civic Center, aimed at connecting energy companies with job seekers. Meanwhile, the state’s alcohol shortage persists, with 172,000 cases backlogged at the state-controlled warehouse as of April 12, drawing national media attention. Nissan announced plans to produce its Xterra SUV at the Canton plant, with the first vehicles expected to roll off the line in 2028.
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