Amazon will invest $10 billion to build a state-of-the-art data project in Montgomery County that will create hundreds of full-time jobs, thousands of new construction jobs and millions of dollars of tax revenue.
The announcement was made on Monday at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Numerous state, county and city leaders were in attendance at the 37-minute press conference.
“It’s about delivering a future that ensures that our state remains in the forefront of the next generation of technology,” Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe 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.”
Steve Etcher, consultant for the Greater Montgomery County Economic Development Council, was the emcee of the event. 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. Today’s 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 and 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.
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.”
The other speakers in the press conference were Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnerships; Michelle Hataway, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development; and Shannon Kellogg, Vice President of Public Policy of Amazon.
Hataway credits many people for their contributions to the data center project.
“Projects of this scale do not happen by accident,” she said. “It happened because local leaders, elected officials, economic development professionals, utility partners and community stakeholders came together around a shared vision.”
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.”
Editor’s note: A print version will be published in the June 24 edition of the Montgomery Standard.
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