Amazon said it will invest $12 billion to construct data centers in northwest Louisiana, part of its broader expansion to meet growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The project is expected to create 540 full-time jobs, along with positions for electricians, HVAC technicians, and other support staff.
As part of its fourth-quarter earnings, Amazon reported a record $200 billion in planned 2026 capital expenditures, up from $131 billion in 2025. Shares have declined 9.4% year-to-date, reflecting investor concern over high-tech spending and fears of an AI-led investment bubble.
To mitigate environmental impacts, Amazon will fund $400 million for local water infrastructure and use water exclusively for cooling and operational needs. The company will also coordinate with Southwestern Electric Power Company to address electrical requirements, covering 100% of related costs.
The Louisiana investment underscores Amazon’s commitment to scaling AI-ready infrastructure. It complements the company’s nationwide data center expansion and aligns with a broader industry trend: Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are expected to spend $650 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, up from $410 billion in 2025, highlighting rapid scaling amid surging compute demand.
