Amazon hosts 'Opportunity Day' in Montgomery County, many still divided over data centers
Amazon hosted an Opportunity Day in Montgomery County to promote jobs and economic benefits from its upcoming data center campus. While officials and some residents welcomed the investment, others criticized construction traffic, road damage and perceived environmental impacts, leaving the community divided.
Amazon held an Opportunity Day in Montgomery County to connect residents, trade unions, contractors and community colleges with employment opportunities tied to its data center campus. The company said the project would generate thousands of construction jobs and more than 400 full-time positions, with the first building expected to begin operating in June and the rest of the campus coming online in phases.
Amazon's $10 billion development is one of two major data center campuses under construction in the county, alongside Google's $15 billion project. Montgomery County Presiding Commissioner Ryan Poston described the developments as a significant opportunity, while resident Star Klein said construction traffic, road congestion and damage to the local environment and creeks had frustrated many community members.