Over five years, Amazon will finance free training, energy renovations and local projects around its American data centers, against a backdrop of growing protests.
Amazon has unveiled "Built Together," a five-year, more than $1 billion program for the U.S. communities that host its data centers, in addition to its existing contributions. The first component focuses on employment: free access to the community college and certifications in technical trades (electricity, air conditioning, fiber optics, IT), but also health, education and public safety. The company is targeting more than 300,000 students and plans 25 modular training centers, three of which are already in operation.
Energy bills and neighbourhood projects
The second component finances energy efficiency work (heat pumps, solar panels, batteries) for more than 300 schools and public buildings and about 30,000 households, with an announced bill reduction of 20 to 40%. A third component leaves local authorities, via local associations, the choice of projects to support: roads, parks, fire brigade equipment or affordable housing. The announcement comes at a time when the impact of AI data centers on electricity prices and local resources is sparking growing opposition in the United States.
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