Local Officials React To Amazon's Announcement To Build Campus In Falls Twp.

The entry way to the Keystone Trade Center. File photo. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Local officials are responding to Amazon’s announcement Monday that it will construct a data center for its AI and cloud computing technologies in Falls Township.

The e-commerce giant and Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed plans for the Falls Township site, as well as an additional location in Luzerne County.

The projects are anticipated to generate at least 1,250 new high-skilled jobs across the state and support thousands more within the Amazon Web Services data center supply chain.

The Falls Township facility, part of Amazon’s $20 billion statewide investment, is already under construction at the Keystone Trade Center, which is the large logistics center being developed on the former U.S. Steel property.

While specific employment figures for the Falls Township data center are not yet available, Amazon officials stated they will work with local school districts, technical high schools and Bucks County Community College to train the future workforce.

LevittownNow.com reported in March that Keystone Trade Center officials were reconfiguring plans for four distribution centers, totaling over 3 million square feet at 700 South Port Road, into a “digital infrastructure campus.” This revised plan includes 10 structures ranging from 112,000 to 217,000 square feet, with the entire center encompassing more than 2 million square feet.

Below are the reactions from local officials:

U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, a Republican:

“I’m grateful to Amazon, Governor Shapiro, and leaders across all levels of government for working to secure this historic investment for the Commonwealth. Our state’s vast energy resources, combined with our skilled workforce, plentiful water, proximity to major population centers, and elite research institutions, make Pennsylvania a perfect base to power America’s innovative technological future through data centers like these. This investment will create thousands of jobs and bring critical workforce training programs to Pennsylvania. This commitment to Pennsylvania by Amazon is just the beginning and builds a massive amount of momentum as we approach my inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh next month. This event will bring together elected officials, leading energy and AI companies, global investors, and labor leaders to ensure that Pennsylvania is at the forefront of attracting data center investment and creating good jobs through the AI revolution.”

Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leadership:

“Senate Democrats stand united in fighting for a future full of good-paying jobs for every Pennsylvanian, and today’s announcement from Governor Shapiro continues to move our commonwealth full speed in the right direction. The Governor’s ability to attract investments from successful private entities like Amazon continues to position Pennsylvania as leading the charge nationwide in technological innovation, economic opportunity, and employment for working families. Our caucus is grateful for the leadership of the Shapiro administration for all the work that went into securing this investment, and we look forward to continuing to deliver good jobs throughout Pennsylvania.”

House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Majority Leader Matt Bradford and Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris:

“This is a tremendous opportunity that will create thousands of family sustaining jobs, invest in an emerging and growing industry and put Pennsylvania on the map for supporting generative AI. We welcome Amazon Web Services to our commonwealth and we look forward to being a part of its growth and success. We’re grateful to Gov. Shapiro and his administration for their leadership in bringing this major project here, for making Pennsylvania an attractive competitive state and for prioritizing investing in our economy and workforce.”

State Rep. Jim Prokopiak, a Democrat from Falls Township:

“Amazon’s choice of investing in the former Fairless Works site in Falls Township is an example of what can happen when local and state officials work together to create a business friendly environment. I want to thank the Governor for being a tireless champion for the people of Bucks County, and Amazon for their investment in the Lower Bucks community. This is the next step in taking a site that once was home to 20th century jobs that were lost and creating good-paying 21st century jobs.”

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat who covers Falls Township:

“I’m proud of the role I played in 2019 to revive the Keystone Opportunity Zone at the former U.S. Steel site in Falls Township that paved the way for the construction of this new data center there. This significant investment will bring thousands of high tech and constructions jobs to Lower Bucks County and boost our local economy. I applaud Governor Shapiro’s for his leadership and commitment to get this done.”

Bucks County Commissioner Chairperson Bob Harvie, a Democrat:

“In 2020, this Board of Commissioners helped to designate the Keystone Trade Center (KTC) as a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ), and because of that commitment, we are thrilled to welcome Amazon to Bucks County today. As a Falls Township resident and former township supervisor, I am doubly excited to see the continued success of the KTC. In choosing Bucks County to build one of their data center campuses, Amazon Web Services will bring hundreds of high paying tech jobs and thousands of construction jobs to the County. This new facility represents a multi-billion dollar investment in the future of Bucks County and its workforce by one of preeminent companies in world. We’d like to thank Governor Josh Shapiro who worked in tandem with officials in Bucks County to make sure this opportunity became a reality.”

Falls Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff Dence, a Democrat:

“Falls Township is thrilled to be at the forefront of this exciting engine of innovation—powering and strengthening artificial intelligence globally. The creation of so many high-skilled career opportunities puts Falls Township and Bucks County in a robust position for further economic development opportunities. Falls Township is committed to seeing the former U.S. Steel property restored to its heyday as a major employer in the community. This commitment from Amazon positions the township well for an influx of high-paying jobs.”

Previous reporting on the Keystone Trade Center project: