Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Monday that Amazon is planning to invest at least $20 billion to establish high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) innovation campuses across Pennsylvania — including one outside Berwick in Luzerne County.

This investment will create at least 1,250 high-paying, high-tech jobs, a news release from the state Department of Community and Economic Development said.

Salem Township, which is about 45 minutes from Muncy and Hughesville, and Falls Township in Bucks County are the first communities identified as sites for these future campuses. Multiple additional Pennsylvania communities are under consideration.

“Pennsylvania is competing again – and I’m proud to announce that with Amazon’s commitment of at least $20 billion to build new state-of-the-art data center campuses across our Commonwealth, we have secured the largest private sector investment in the history of Pennsylvania,” said Shapiro, according to the news release. “This initial investment from Amazon will create thousands of good-paying, stable jobs as Pennsylvania workers build, maintain, and operate the first two data center campuses in Luzerne County and Bucks County. Our team worked closely with local leaders and Amazon to land this deal, and we continue to be actively engaged on securing additional sites in Pennsylvania – helping them secure local support, developing the infrastructure needed to support more data centers, and ensuring our permitting processes move quickly and efficiently. With this historic announcement, we’re creating opportunity for our workers, generating new revenue for our local communities, and ensuring the future of AI runs right through Pennsylvania.”

“Amazon’s multi-billion-dollar investment in Pennsylvania reinforces our dedication to advancing AI innovation while creating lasting economic opportunities in the state,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer, according to the news release. “By expanding our cloud computing infrastructure, we’re investing in Pennsylvania’s future through new jobs, workforce development programs, and community initiatives. We look forward to helping drive the next generation of technology innovation, while delivering meaningful benefits for Pennsylvania residents.”

“Pennsylvania is proud to have worked alongside our local partners in Salem Township, Luzerne County and Falls Township, Bucks County, to win today’s unprecedented $20 billion investment from Amazon,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger, according to the news release. “The company’s data center campuses will drive enormous positive tax impacts for our Commonwealth, counties, and municipalities, and will create at least 1,250 high-paying, high-tech jobs as well as thousands of construction jobs. Every state wants to win projects like this one. Thanks to Governor Shapiro’s leadership and his get-stuff-done attitude, Pennsylvania is winning them. Our Commonwealth is built on innovation and this project sends a clear, strong signal to the world that Pennsylvania Gets It Done.”

Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than $26 billion in Pennsylvania, including infrastructure and compensation to employees, and these latest facilities join a growing Amazon operations footprint across Pennsylvania that now includes 23 fulfillment and sortation centers and 20 last-mile delivery stations.