MYTH vs. FACT
The facts behind the most common questions we hear. For more information, download the PDF Here.
Project Details
AWS Data Center Campus
AWS Data Center FAQs
General
About the Campus
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most widely adopted cloud platform, offering services such as computing, storage, networking, and AI tools to millions of customers worldwide—from startups to large enterprises and government agencies. AWS enables businesses to innovate faster, reduce costs, and scale efficiently.
A data center is a secure facility housing servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and cooling infrastructure. It powers cloud services, AI workloads, and digital applications for businesses worldwide.
An AI infrastructure campus is a collection of highly specialized facilities that house the computing systems needed to train and operate artificial intelligence (AI) models and support cloud computing services used by organizations worldwide.
These campuses provide the computing capacity that powers applications ranging from healthcare research and financial services to advanced manufacturing, scientific discovery, education, government services, and everyday digital tools.
Local Impact
Investment That Strengthens the Community
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Large infrastructure projects create economic activity well beyond the campus itself. Local businesses benefit from demand for construction materials, equipment, transportation, lodging, restaurants, professional services, maintenance, and other operational needs.
During construction, the project generated approximately 141,000 hotel room nights, providing a significant boost to hotels, restaurants, retailers, and other hospitality businesses throughout the South Bend Region.
These expenditures support jobs, create business opportunities, and generate economic activity across the regional economy.
AWS works with contractors, suppliers, and service providers of all sizes. Local businesses interested in working with AWS are encouraged to participate in supplier outreach events and procurement opportunities as they become available.
In May 2026, the South Bend Regional Chamber hosted the Supplier Connect event, bringing together regional businesses with AWS representatives, construction contractors, and facilities management. The event connected nearly 100 regional businesses with project decision-makers and highlighted opportunities that extend beyond construction into long-term campus operations.
The South Bend Regional Chamber continues to work with regional companies to identify opportunities to participate in the growing AI and technology ecosystem.
The AWS campus pays property taxes from day one in accordance with Indiana law and its local development agreements. According to AWS, the New Carlisle campus is projected to generate more than $1 billion in local property tax revenue over 35 years, helping fund schools, libraries, public safety, parks, infrastructure, and other essential community services.
Like many states, Indiana offers performance-based economic development incentives to compete for large-scale business investments. State incentives provided for the AWS project are tied to commitments for job creation, capital investment, and wages, with qualifying jobs required to pay at least 125% of the St. Joseph County average wage.
Local property tax abatements temporarily reduce a portion of eligible property taxes but do not eliminate a company’s obligation to pay property taxes. AWS pays property taxes from the first year its facilities are placed on the tax rolls, while investing billions of dollars in the region, creating high-wage jobs, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the long-term tax base.
Environment & Resources
How Resources Are Managed
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AWS and St. Joseph County have completed the necessary environmental studies and permitting processes to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. These include groundwater and wellfield assessments, stormwater management plans, and environmental impact reviews to protect air, land, and water resources. Ongoing monitoring will ensure the project continues to meet all sustainability and environmental standards.
AWS designs and operates its facilities with a focus on efficiency, responsible resource management, and environmental stewardship. Environmental considerations include water conservation, energy efficiency, stormwater management, and protection of surrounding natural resources.
Together, these efforts reflect AWS's approach to balancing reliable AI infrastructure with responsible environmental stewardship and long-term resource management.
AWS maintains full compliance with all environmental regulations through dedicated on-site environmental professionals. Their primary focus is compliance, delivering rigorous training programs, systematic data collection, comprehensive environmental reporting, and proactive compliance management to meet every local, state, and federal regulatory requirement.
Like other major industrial and infrastructure developments, the AWS campus is subject to a comprehensive regulatory and permitting process. Construction and operations must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing environmental protection, stormwater management, utilities, building safety, and other operational requirements.
Multiple agencies oversee different aspects of the project to help ensure compliance with applicable regulations throughout both construction and ongoing operations.
AWS Community Impact in Action
Watch
View a variety of videos showcasing the project's impact on our community, including conversations with business owners and more.
Read
Our community and workforce are being positively impacted by the AWS project. Read about the impact on the hospitality industry and several community members.
By the Numbers
$11B
Investment
1,000
Jobs
$4.7B
State GDP
$250,000
Community Outreach
AWS & Economic Development Leaders Share Insights
We bring you three podcast episodes featuring leaders from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and regional economic development organizations. Together, they explore how data centers are planned and built, explain the AWS site-selection process, and separate fact from fiction surrounding power and water usage.
In one episode, Shannon Kellogg, vice president of public policy for AWS for the Americas at Amazon, joins Heather Ennis, president & CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum. The conversation focuses on what AWS looks for when selecting a community, including infrastructure readiness and environmental sustainability goals. The discussion is grounded in data and provides clear, factual context around common misconceptions.
In a second episode, Brandon Oyer, head of America’s water & power for AWS, joins Behind the Region hosts Chamber President & CEO Jeff Rea and Director of Member Relations Mark McGill. Oyer provides an update on the $11 billion-plus AWS data center project, explains how cloud computing works, addresses myths related to water and power usage, and shares AWS’s long-term vision and the project’s impact on the South Bend Region.
Jeff Rea, president and CEO of the Chamber discusses all things data center in a third podcast episode. As AI, cloud computing and digital infrastructure continue to expand, communities like ours are evaluating what these large-scale projects mean, in terms of growth, resources, workforce and more.
Newsroom
We've summarized many of the news items covering this legacy project here.