Amazon ends data center NDAs with government agencies
Amazon said it will stop using nondisclosure agreements with government agencies on data center projects, following Richmond County officials' disclosure that they had signed such agreements before announcing Amazon's planned facility near Airport Road. The company also announced a $1 billion, five-year community investment program focused on workforce development, energy affordability, water solutions and local priorities.
Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman announced that the company will no longer use nondisclosure agreements with government agencies involved in its data center projects. The change follows disclosures by Richmond County leaders that they had signed NDAs with Amazon before the June 2025 announcement of a planned data center off Airport Road.
Amazon said it will use community open houses and earlier information-sharing to encourage public engagement. The company also introduced Built Together, a $1 billion five-year initiative for communities hosting its data centers, with investments in education and workforce pathways, energy affordability, water solutions and flexible local funding. Garman defended data centers against concerns about electricity costs, water use and pollution, saying Amazon would work with utilities, regulators and grid operators to cover associated energy and infrastructure costs.