For nine years, Amazon has played a big role in the state of Missouri, employing more than 10,000 residents, investing over $9 billion in infrastructure and supporting many small businesses.
Now, it is looking to carry that success to Montgomery County.
The company announced on June 15 that it will invest $10 billion to build a state-of-the-art data project in the county that will create more than 400 full-time jobs, thousands of new construction jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue.
The announcement was made at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Numerous state, county and city leaders were in attendance at the 37-minute press conference.
“We celebrate another exciting milestone for Montgomery County, the state of Missouri and the future of this community,” said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
During his eight-minute speech, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe came up with a nickname for the data center project.
“I’ll just say we’re in Etcherland,” he said, referring to Steve Etcher, consultant of the Greater Montgomery County Economic Development Council.
Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnerships, acknowledged Etcher in the beginning of his speech, saying that he was a huge contributor in bringing an Amazon data center to the county.
“We would not be standing here today if it weren’t for everything you’ve done,” Alias said to Etcher. “You are a gold standard of economic development.”
Etcher was the emcee of the press conference. He said the investment will strengthen the tax base, support local schools and public services, create opportunities for local businesses and help position the county as a destination for continued growth and innovation.
“This announcement represents far more than a new facility,” Etcher said. “It is a result of years of vision, planning, infrastructure investment and collaboration among public and private partners who believe in the potential of this community. The event is a testament to what to be accomplished when organizations work together towards a common goal. Amazon’s decision to invest in Montgomery County is a strong vote of confidence in our work force and our location and our business climate and our future.”
Amazon will also invest $3 million to support emergency dispatch services, $3 million towards community programs and more than $1 million for a new open air pavilion and food stands at the fairgrounds. Amazon is one of the sponsors for this year’s Montgomery County Fair.
“At Amazon, we talk a lot about what it means to be a good neighbor,” said Shannon Kellogg, Vice President of Public Policy of Amazon. “What you see here is the commitment in action, not just for this event, but for tomorrow, next year and, quite frankly, decades to come. We plan to be here for a long time.”
Presiding Commissioner Ryan Poston said the investment on the data center will have a huge economic impact in the county.
“Montgomery County is going to show the rest of Missouri how to lead because that’s what we do in Montgomery County,” said Poston, who was born and raised in the county. “We lead. We’re going to continue to lead and everybody else will just follow. Our county has gone downhill long enough. It’s time to stop it and it’s time to do something different.”
In 2017, Amazon first came to Missouri when it signed a lease for two warehouse buildings in the Hazelwood Logistics Center. It has fulfillment centers in cities such as Sedalia, Maryville, Scott City, Republic and Brookfield.
Amazon is building a data center to be located on a 1,000-acre parcel in the northeast quadrant of the Interstate 70 and Highway 19 interchange near New Florence. Google is building a second data center in the southeast quadrant of the interchange and recently made a $15 billion investment.
Gov. Kehoe said Amazon’s investment in the data center in Montgomery County is a testament to Missouri’s growing partnership with the company.
“It’s about delivering a future that ensures that our state remains in the forefront of the next generation of technology,” he said. “With this $10 billion investment as proof, I truly believe that the state of Missouri has solidified a spot in the nation as a leader in innovation.”
Alias said he first learned about the project in early 2025, when Minah Hall of VisionFirst Advisor called him and told him that there will be a multi-billion dollar project in Missouri.
“I thought to myself, ‘Minah, you have our attention,’” Alias said. “Minah has been a great friend for years and a great friend of Missouri.”
Alias credits many people for the development of the project, including his colleagues Deborah Price and Janelle Higgins.
“Deborah spent countless nights and weekends working on this project,” Alias said. “Janelle navigated the intricate messaging and communications for this project. It was not easy. It took Janelle’s expertise to get it done.”
Hataway said the investment will bring long-term opportunities to Montgomery County.
“This is what economic development is all about,” she said. “It is about creating opportunities that will improve lives. It’s about building partnerships that make transformational projects possible. It’s about ensuring that communities of every size have the opportunity to grow and prosper.”
Kellogg thanked the Montgomery County Fair Board for its help in holding the press conference at the fairgrounds.
“As Montgomery County comes together in this space, that’s really what it’s about, gathering here where neighbors meet, where kids show off years worth of hard work and where this community celebrates every year,” Kellogg said. “I think that’s so special.”
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