Frequently Asked Questions
About the Project
What are data centers and why do we need them?
Data centers serve as the foundation for virtually everything that happens online, from sending emails to placing online orders, online banking, health record and so much more, making the internet as we know it possible. Beyond providing essential connectivity, data centers also contribute significantly to local communities through job creation, economic growth, and substantial tax revenue that helps fund schools and social services. Despite its name, cloud computing doesn’t actually live in the clouds but operates through data centers – specialized buildings containing computing hardware, networking equipment, and technology infrastructure that power our everyday digital activities like social media, online shopping, and streaming.
How much is Amazon investing in Warren County?
Amazon is making a significant long-term commitment with at least $3 billion in planned investment.
Where will this project be located?
We are conducting our due diligence and in discussions about long-term building and operating plans. We carefully choose our data center locations based on electric grid reliability, access to power, reduced environmental risk, workforce, and access to robust networks.
How will this project benefit Warren County and Vicksburg?
This project is expected to generate significant tax revenue for Warren County and the surrounding region, providing sustainable funding for essential services, local schools, and infrastructure. The economic effects will strengthen the local economy through job creation, increased business activity, and new opportunities for local contractors and service providers.
How long does a data center typically last? Is there a guaranteed period for these jobs?
Our data centers are built for long-term operation and are designed to serve customers for many years. We continuously invest in maintaining, upgrading, and modernizing our facilities to meet evolving customer needs and technological advances.
The jobs created by Amazon data centers are long-term positions and represent a sustained commitment to the communities where we operate. For example, in eastern Oregon, Amazon began construction of operations around 2011, and today, our data centers consistently support more than 8,000 full-time equivalent jobs annually.
Careers
Will this project create jobs?
This investment is estimated to create at least 200 new jobs at the Amazon data center, plus support more than 300 additional full-time equivalent positions in the Warren County community overall. These opportunities include data center engineers, network specialists, operations managers, and security specialists, while sustaining thousands more jobs in construction and the supply chain across the Magnolia State.
What kind of jobs would the data center provide?
A typical data center will need people in a series of different job classifications both during the construction phase and actual operation, including plumbers, pipe fitters, electricians, project engineers, fiber splicers, fiber techs, directional drill operators, line workers, engineer technicians, control technicians, data center technicians, and operations technicians, among others. Amazon will cooperate with local organizations to provide workforce development programs that will be designed to prepare individuals for data center-related jobs.
Where can I apply for training for these jobs?
Once Amazon and our designated general contractor begin actively recruiting, we will provide broad notice of job postings and training opportunities through multiple channels. In the meantime, Amazon offers several workforce development programs in Mississippi through partnerships with AccelerateMS, Hinds and Holmes Community Colleges, and other local organizations.
Do I need a college degree for these jobs?
The project will need to hire people with and without college degrees.
Community Impact
Other than jobs, how else are you investing in the community?
Amazon is launching the Warren County Community Fund, committing $150,000 for grants up to $10,000 to support key community projects and will introduce The Think Big Program, a comprehensive STEM initiative designed to inspire students through hands-on experiences.
I have a small business in Vicksburg/Warren County. How can I do business with Amazon?
Amazon is committed to being a good neighbor and supporting local businesses in the communities where we operate. There are several ways that local businesses can partner with Amazon:
Supporting Our Local Data Center Operations: We will be hosting informational meetings in Vicksburg to share details on how local businesses can compete for opportunities related to our data center project. We will communicate meeting dates and times once they have been scheduled.
Selling on Amazon.com: Local businesses can reach millions of customers by selling products on Amazon’s marketplace. Amazon provides tools, logistics support, and access to a global customer base. Visit sell.amazon.com to learn more about becoming a seller.
Using Amazon Web Services (AWS): Businesses can leverage AWS cloud computing services to power their operations, scale their technology infrastructure, and access tools for computing, storage, databases, and more. Learn more at aws.amazon.com.
What does this mean for community organizations?
Amazon is committed to being a good neighbor and part of the community. Amazon is launching the Warren County Community Fund, committing $150,000 in grant funding, with grants of up to $10,000 available to support locally led community projects. Applications will open on January 6, 2026. In addition, a dedicated Amazon Community Engagement Manager will work directly with nonprofit organizations aligned to one or more of our 4 focus areas – STEM education, sustainability, local skills development and hyper local social impact – to identify opportunities for deeper collaboration and continued investment across Warren County. Visit https://amazon.vicksburgusa.com/ for additional information.
Does this mean my property taxes will go down next year?
Once operational, Amazon will significantly increase the overall tax base. However, specific tax rate decisions are made by the Warren County Board of Supervisors based on the county’s budgetary needs and priorities. Each building of the project will begin generating tax revenue the first tax year after it is assessed (typically the year in which it becomes operational).
How will the community fund be governed/ decisions made on spending?
Please see the Amazon Warren County Community Fund website for more information.
Construction
Who is GC? When will they be named?
The general contractor has not yet been determined. We will announce the selection once a final decision is made.
When will construction start?
We are conducting our due diligence and in discussions about long-term building and operating plans. Initial earthwork is expected to begin in 2026, followed by vertical construction in 2027.
Is there a guarantee of local construction jobs?
We are committed to supporting local businesses and workers in the communities where we operate. While we cannot guarantee specific numbers of local construction jobs, we actively encourage our general contractors and subcontractors to hire locally whenever possible. We will be hosting informational meetings to share details on how local businesses and workers can compete for opportunities related to the data center project.
Education / Workforce
Are there workforce training opportunities?
Amazon has partnered with AccelerateMS, Mississippi Development Authority, and Community Colleges to launch specialized training programs across the state. These efforts have already engaged more than 1,000 education and workforce leaders and provided valuable training to over 6,500 learners and job seekers throughout Mississippi. These initiatives will only continue for this new project.
What does this mean for education?
Amazon’s decision to invest in Vicksburg is a significant win for education. The Vicksburg Warren School District is projected to receive millions of dollars per year in new tax revenue. In addition, Amazon has a dedicated economic development and workforce development team that offers programs designed to prepare individuals for in-demand careers in the growing data center and technology sectors. Several of these initiatives are already underway in Mississippi through partnerships with AccelerateMS, Mississippi Planning and Development Districts, community colleges, and local school districts. The We WILL Build It Better program is coming to Warren County, bringing innovative STEAM education and real-world technology learning to elementary students.
Amazon also plans to introduce Think Big, a comprehensive STEM initiative designed to inspire students to hands on, exponential learning opportunities. Think Big expands early exposure to STEM for K -12 students, building curiosity, confidence and awareness of future pathways while reinforcing the district’s existing workforce and career technical education efforts.
Site Information
Are data centers noisy?
We work hard to ensure our data centers operate as quietly as possible and do not negatively impact our neighbors. In addition to meeting all local noise regulations, we strive to design our facilities to federal guidance for the health and welfare of surrounding communities, which often are lower than the regulatory standards. We implement several noise mitigation measures including:
- Sound-dampening building materials and insulation
- Strategic placement of cooling equipment
- Visual screening where needed
- Generators utilize acoustical enclosures and mufflers
Throughout design and construction, we partner with acoustic engineers to keep noise levels low and ensure the facility fits comfortably within the surrounding community.
What infrastructure improvements are needed? Who is paying for these improvements?
Vicksburg benefits from strong foundational water and sewer infrastructure, and Amazon expects to invest in water and sewer infrastructure serving the project site and to pay applicable capacity and connection fees to support long-term system use. The required extensions to serve the site will be funded through a state site development grant administered by the Mississippi Development Authority, a standard economic development tool established by the State of Mississippi and set aside for this project, ensuring no direct cost to City of Vicksburg taxpayers.
Separately, Warren County previously secured a $20 million economic development loan from the Mississippi Development Authority to support planned road infrastructure improvements in the area. The loan will be repaid using future tax revenues generated within the county, including revenues associated with new investment. Amazon has agreed to make fee-in-lieu payments in an amount sufficient to cover the amount of the debt service payment on this loan. These improvements enhance regional access and competitiveness, supporting both this project and future economic development opportunities that benefit the broader community.
What regulations are in place to ensure that the project follows environmental guidelines?
Amazon is committed to building and operating our data centers in the most environmentally responsible way possible. Our data center projects comply with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including those related to water usage, air quality, stormwater management, and waste disposal.
How are environmental standards applied/enforced?
Amazon is committed to building and operating our data centers in the most environmentally responsible way possible. Our data center projects comply with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including those related to air quality, water usage, stormwater management, noise levels, and emissions.
Environmental standards are enforced through multiple layers of oversight, including permitting processes with state and local environmental agencies, ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements, and regular inspections. Amazon works closely with regulatory agencies throughout the planning, construction, and operational phases to ensure full compliance with all applicable environmental and public health standards.
Utilities
How do data centers use energy?
Data centers use electricity to run computing devices, hardware, software, and networking equipment that power cloud computing services. The most sustainable energy is the energy we don’t use. That’s why AWS focuses on efficiency across all aspects of our infrastructure. Research by Accenture estimates that AWS’s infrastructure is up to 4.1 times more efficient than on-premises, and when optimizing on AWS, customers’ associated carbon footprint can be reduced by up to 99%.
How are data centers paying their fair share of energy costs?
We work closely with utilities and grid operators to plan for future growth. Where we require specific infrastructure to meet our needs (such as new substations), we work to make sure that we’re covering those costs and that they aren’t being passed on to other ratepayers. We’re also working with utilities on innovative new agreements to keep rates comparably low and bring net-new carbon-free energy projects to the grid.
Will this project cause rates to go up for other Entergy Mississippi customers?
No, the project will not cause an increase in energy costs. Amazon’s payments cover the costs to power our data centers and help to cover nearly 50% of Entergy Mississippi’s grid improvement costs that would have impacted residential customer bills.
How much water does a data center use?
Due to our highly efficient and environmentally conscious water management system, we anticipate using water for less than 13% of the year. For the other 87% of the year, we will pull in the outside air and push it directly to the servers for cooling.
Will my water bill increase?
Not because of this project. Water rates are set by the City of Vicksburg and published in the City Ordinance. Any water utilized by Amazon’s data center project will come from the City of Vicksburg’s existing surplus capacity which will generate additional revenue for the water and sewer systems without requiring any new investment from the City. All necessary infrastructure improvements will be funded by the project itself, not by City of Vicksburg taxpayers. This project does not utilize any water resources outside the city limits and therefore will not affect water bills for County residents in any way.