Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) announced a $20 billion investment from Amazon in Pennsylvania.
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00:00Good morning.
00:01Good morning.
00:02All right.
00:03It's a good day.
00:04Good morning, everyone.
00:05My name is Rick Seiger.
00:06I have the great honor of serving as Secretary of Community and Economic Development here
00:10in Pennsylvania.
00:11And I am totally thrilled to be here in Berwick today to celebrate a project that's putting
00:17Pennsylvania at the very forefront of innovation and job creation.
00:20But first, a couple thank yous.
00:22Thank you first to the Jackson Mansion for hosting us in this beautiful setting.
00:26Thank you to the Mayor, Tom Burke, for letting us come to your town.
00:30And we're joined really by an incredible group of leaders here, in addition to Governor Shapiro,
00:35with Lieutenant Governor Davis, U.S. Senator McCormick, Congressman Muser, Representative
00:40Ledbetter.
00:41We have global leaders from Amazon, including Kevin Miller and Shannon Kellogg.
00:46We have labor leaders from all across Pennsylvania here, corporate leaders from our energy sector
00:51and beyond, as well as Dr. Patrick Jones, President of Bucks County Community College.
00:55You'll hear from in a minute, with higher ed and education leaders from around this part
00:59of Pennsylvania.
01:00But just as importantly, and maybe more importantly, we're joined by a lot of county and local leaders
01:06here, from Luzerne and Bucks County, as well as Salem Township and Falls Township.
01:11People have been working day after day as critical partners to make this project move forward.
01:17You know, every time I have the chance to give remarks, I say economic development and community development
01:23or team sports.
01:25And that that kind of local leadership, combined with the relentless work and dedication of
01:30folks like Brent Vernon and Brian Ross from our business PA team, Ben Kirscher and David Wade
01:35from our Office of Transformation and Opportunity, and terrific colleagues from agencies all across
01:40Pennsylvania State Government are what really gets this work done.
01:44And, of course, it has been a great pleasure working alongside a team of total pros, colleagues
01:50from one of the largest and most influential companies in the world this past year and a half,
01:55led, I should say, by Berwick High School graduate, Becky Ford.
01:59Thank you, Becky.
02:01We've worked really hard together to get to this day over the past year and a half.
02:11It's been a lot of late nights and weekends.
02:13It's been a lot of calls and meetings between the company and local officials and our team
02:17and the Shapiro administration to finally get to a point where we're ready to announce.
02:22And, of course, you'll hear from the governor in just a second to make the announcement.
02:25But before I have the honor of introducing him, I do just want to say the scope of this announcement
02:30is unprecedented in Pennsylvania.
02:33Every state wants to land projects like this one we're announcing.
02:36And here, under Governor Shapiro's leadership, we win these projects.
02:41Under the Shapiro-Davis administration, Pennsylvania is back in the game.
02:45Our economic competitiveness is stronger than ever because of the way we've slashed red tape,
02:50invested in sites and infrastructure, and made Pennsylvania a better place to do business.
02:55We are built as a commonwealth on innovation.
02:58We're always looking toward the future.
03:00And this project sends a clear message that Pennsylvania is open for business.
03:05And now it is my distinct honor today to introduce our 48th governor, Josh Shapiro.
03:11Great job. Great job.
03:15Good morning.
03:18It's a good day.
03:19Secretary Seiger, thank you for those kind words and for your leadership.
03:23And it is great to be back here in Berwick at the historic Jackson Mansion,
03:29a place that reminds us of this town's rich history.
03:34But I'm not here today to talk about Berwick's history.
03:37I'm here to talk about its future and the future of this great commonwealth.
03:43You know, when I was sworn in as your governor a little more than two years ago,
03:46I made it clear that Pennsylvania would compete again because for too long we were not only losing out to other states on economic development,
03:57we weren't even on the field.
04:01Our permitting process used to be too darn slow.
04:04Our economic development toolkit was outdated and it was underfunded.
04:10And despite an extraordinary workforce trained in our union halls and in our top-notch universities,
04:17too many were forced to look elsewhere for work instead of staying right here at home.
04:24That's changed under the Shapiro Davis administration.
04:28We've put the right people in place, led by Secretary Rick Seiger
04:33and led by our chief transformation officer, Ben Kirshner.
04:37We've developed a plan creating the first economic development strategy in 20 years.
04:44We brought Republicans and Democrats together in a divided legislature to pass budgets that make significant investments in economic development.
04:54And I want to thank those lawmakers who are assembled here for your votes and your confidence in the work that we are all doing together.
05:02Together, we are now investing nearly $2 billion annually in site development, in workforce training, in innovation, and a whole lot more.
05:13Those investments are going into our main streets across Pennsylvania, our farms, our skyscrapers, our suburban office parks, and our brownfields.
05:23We've aggressively reformed our permitting process, and we've sped up government.
05:30We've slashed wait times, reducing backlogs, and finally fixed our permit processes.
05:36We went from the bottom of the pack in the nation to the top when it comes to the speed of getting a permit done.
05:43And you know what? It's working now. We are moving at the speed of business.
05:48Pennsylvania is back on the field, and Pennsylvania is winning again.
05:53And that brings us to today.
05:56I'm here to announce that Pennsylvania has landed the largest private sector investment in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
06:06As a result of about 20 months of extremely hard and collaborative work between our administration, Amazon, and leaders at every level of government,
06:26I'm proud to announce that Amazon will be making an initial investment of at least $20 billion.
06:35That's with a B, billion dollars.
06:41An initial investment of at least $20 billion in multiple state-of-the-art data centers across our Commonwealth
06:50that will power our global economy and the future of artificial intelligence.
06:57One site will be nearby in Salem Township, located alongside a nuclear power plant at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station over in Luzerne County.
07:08The other initial site will be located in Falls Township in Bucks County at the Keystone Trade Center,
07:16a site that used to be home to one of the largest steel mills in the world.
07:21And across those two sites, Amazon will create 1,250 permanent jobs in addition to the thousands of construction jobs
07:33where Pennsylvania tradesmen and women, they're going to lay the concrete and build the HVAC systems
07:39and lay the wiring and cable that goes into these data centers.
07:43I understand we've got a few tradespeople here today.
07:46Y'all in the house?
07:51You guys ready to be busy?
07:55These tradesmembers are going to be working for years and years and years to build out these data centers.
08:01Our schools and our police departments, our local communities will benefit from the millions of dollars
08:08in new tax revenue that will be brought in from this investment.
08:13Students who are taking CTE classes right now at Berwick High School or Pennsbury High School in Bucks County
08:20will be able to take the skills they've learned in the classroom and then apply them to good-paying jobs
08:27right in their hometown communities.
08:30Young people will have the chance to chart their own course and join an apprenticeship program run by one of these great trades unions,
08:40working with folks like John from IBEW Local 163, who joins us today, who you'll hear from in a few moments.
08:47Pennsylvanians who are interested in computer science and data management will be able to study at Bucks County Community College
08:54or down the river at Bloomsburg and then stay in their community to work on some of the most exciting projects in the AI space.
09:03I've always said that Pennsylvanians should have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.
09:11And that opportunity should be in the communities that they love, the places where they grew up.
09:17They shouldn't have to go somewhere else to find work.
09:20For too long, we've watched as towns across Pennsylvania got hollowed out and left behind.
09:26No more. Now is our time to rebuild those communities and invest in them.
09:32This investment in Pennsylvania starts reversing that trend.
09:37And hear me on this, it is just the beginning.
09:41Because our administration is actively engaged with Amazon on additional sites in our Commonwealth,
09:46helping them to secure local support, developing the infrastructure needed to support more data centers,
09:53and ensuring our permitting process works quickly.
09:57In fact, a big reason we were able to get this done is because of Pennsylvania's new fast-track permitting system,
10:04allowing those to understand how quick they can get a permit.
10:08And it's all done in a transparent and open process, giving confidence to companies like Amazon
10:14that their project will get built on time.
10:17On its own, this initial $20 billion investment, covering just these first two sites,
10:24here in Salem Township, there in Salem Township and in Bucks County,
10:28is already three times larger than the largest state-supported project in the history of our Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
10:38Three times larger.
10:40And, you know, as the Secretary said, this is the kind of deal that every other state wants.
10:51Every state is out competing for it, but Pennsylvania won this deal.
10:55We got it done.
10:57I want to thank Andy Jassy and his amazing team at Amazon for working with us and for betting on Pennsylvania.
11:05Andy and I worked closely together on this and his outstanding team, including Kevin Miller and Shannon Kellogg,
11:12who you'll hear from in just a few moments, and, of course, the aforementioned Becky from right here in Berwick.
11:18They were incredibly professional and wonderful to deal with in this process.
11:23But I'll tell you what, we would not be here today but for the incredible team that I feel privileged to work with every single day
11:30to help move Pennsylvania forward.
11:32Secretary Rick Seiger at the Department of Community and Economic Development, you and your team, did an outstanding job.
11:38Thank you very, very much.
11:40When I took the oath of office to serve as your governor, one of the first positions we created was to create a chief transformation officer,
11:51someone who could get a project from point A to point Z and get it done quickly.
11:56Our chief transformation officer is here, and he's doing a hell of a job transforming Pennsylvania.
12:01Ben Kirshner, thank you very, very much.
12:03And, you know, along the way, you hit some bumps in the road.
12:10Some things happened that you weren't predicting.
12:12So you need a fixer, someone to fix the situation and keep us moving down the field.
12:18Our fixer is Amanda Warren, and she did a hell of a job getting this project done.
12:23Thank you, Amanda.
12:24Here in Pennsylvania, we've got a winning team.
12:29We also have a unique set of strengths that put us in a position to succeed, including our abundant energy resources and Pennsylvania's great track record of innovation that dates back centuries.
12:44Let me explain.
12:45Pennsylvania is a national energy leader.
12:49We are the second largest energy producer in the entire country, and we have a unique distinction of being a net energy exporter.
12:58That means we can produce enough power to support the energy-intensive supercomputers and server farms at Amazon's data centers, affordable energy to this mansion, while still delivering reliable, affordable energy to our small businesses that line our main streets, to our families, and right into their living rooms.
13:20You know, I'm an all-of-the-above energy governor, and we are working to produce even more energy here at home.
13:27And we want to produce that energy from all kinds of different sources, from natural gas, to solar, to wind, to nuclear, and much more.
13:35My administration understands this unique advantage that we have, and we are leaning in, and today is an example of that.
13:45Second, Pennsylvania has a strong track record of innovation.
13:50We are home to some of the leading universities on AI and cloud computing development, places like Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State, the University of Pennsylvania, and more, as well as exciting startups commercializing the advancements made on campus and then bringing them to market.
14:08So, as Amazon now looks around for partners to develop the next generation of AI, they don't have to look any further than right here in our Commonwealth.
14:19And that ecosystem of innovation gives them additional resources to be able to build from.
14:26Behind the scenes, we are already working to connect the dots between our universities, our startups, and Amazon's data centers, and I'll be able to share more on that in the near future.
14:37I want you to know that Pennsylvania state government, we are already all in on AI.
14:42About a year and a half ago, I signed an executive order ensuring that our Commonwealth approaches Gen AI proactively, ethically, and responsibly.
14:53We launched the first in the nation pilot program to put those tools literally in the hands of our Commonwealth employees.
15:01And thanks to using Gen AI, our Commonwealth employees on average save 95 minutes a day and deliver more permits more quickly and deliver more services more efficiently to our constituents.
15:14Now we're working to deploy AI tools to more Commonwealth employees to help keep them moving faster, more efficiently, and better serve our fellow Pennsylvanians.
15:23Commonwealth isn't just talking the talk on AI, we are walking the walk.
15:27I hope you see how this all fits together.
15:30A new economic development strategy, smart use and deployment of AI, harnessing our energy dominant position in the world, developing homegrown talent to power innovation, and working with government at all levels.
15:45Bringing unprecedented private sector investment to help move Pennsylvania forward.
15:50Look, we stand to gain so much here in Pennsylvania with this historic investment from Amazon.
15:57And our country stands to gain much as well, because America's national security will once again be strengthened by the hands of Pennsylvania workers.
16:10This is critically important. And I know it is a huge piece of the work that our Senator Dave McCormick works on every single day while serving us from Pennsylvania in the United States Senate.
16:23I'm grateful to have formed a strong partnership with our Senator.
16:26And I'm thankful that you are here with us on this historic day. Thank you very much, Senator. We appreciate you.
16:31The Senator grew up around here. His pop was president at Bloomsburg. He's a student of history.
16:41So let me share some history with you.
16:44We both know that every time in our history, when Pennsylvanians have been called on to lead, we've stepped up.
16:52When fascism threatened freedom overseas, it was Pennsylvania coal miners who went deep underground to harness our energy here in Pennsylvania.
17:04And Pennsylvania workers forged steel in our blast furnaces.
17:08And they gave us the rise to the arsenal of democracy.
17:15They were quite literally using their hands to advance freedom here at home and around the world.
17:22It was here in Berwick at the American car and foundry factory where Pennsylvania workers manufactured 15,000 steward tanks in just three years during World War Two,
17:34helping preserve our freedoms at home and around the globe.
17:38You see, Pennsylvania workers over decades, over centuries, have made our commonwealth in our country safer and freer.
17:48And what we are talking about here today is yet another national security issue that Pennsylvania can lead on.
17:55You see, right now there is a battle for supremacy when it comes to AI, a battle that will be won by either the United States or China.
18:05I'm comforted by the fact that thanks to Amazon, the future of AI is going to run right here through the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
18:14Because I sure as hell think those technologies should be developed by the hands of a Pennsylvania worker here in the United States of America, not in communist China.
18:24So here in Pennsylvania, we have the energy resources to support this technology.
18:34We've got the brains to be able to drive innovation forward.
18:38We have the workforce ready to build and maintain these critical data centers.
18:44And we've got elected leaders from every single level ready to roll up their sleeves and continue to work together for the common good for our commonwealth.
18:55This is what a united front looks like to win the battle of AI supremacy.
19:02We will out-compete China.
19:04We will do so here in Pennsylvania.
19:06And we will win.
19:08We sure will.
19:10At the same time, we are watching the rebirth of our state's competitiveness and writing the next chapter in our Pennsylvania's proud story of global leadership.
19:20A story that has seen Pennsylvania steel mills and coal mines and Pennsylvania farmlands bring innovation, prosperity, and freedom right here at home and across the world.
19:32Today, we begin writing the next chapter.
19:35And with more investments in our future, we will end this chapter stronger and more prosperous than how it began.
19:41From coal and steel to server farms and fiber optic cables, Pennsylvania is poised to power our future.
19:50A future where a job is within your grasp and in your community.
19:54A future where America dominates the next frontier of AI and doesn't cede this ground to China or any other nation.
20:03A future of possibility right here in Pennsylvania.
20:08A future built by Pennsylvania-trained workers from Berwick to Bucks County and where more Pennsylvanians have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.
20:21That future begins today.
20:24That future has been made possible because of Amazon's extraordinary investment in Pennsylvania.
20:30And that future has been made possible by the great teamwork on display here.
20:35And with that, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you my teammate in governing the other half of the Shapiro Davis administration,
20:43the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Austin Davis.
20:47Well, good morning. Let's give another round of applause for Governor Shapiro.
21:01I could not be more proud to be the governor's governing partner to work with him every day to get stuff done on behalf of the good people here in Pennsylvania.
21:12I want to thank the other partners who have joined us today.
21:15Senator McCormick, thank you for your leadership and for being with us.
21:18Kevin and Shannon and the entire Amazon team, thank you for this investment.
21:23And thank you for not just investing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but for investing in our people and to our friends in labor.
21:32We know you're going to get this up and running in the right way.
21:35I'm excited to be back in Berwick.
21:42I was here in April to announce a Main Street Matters investment into your downtown here.
21:48It's Berwick is a lot like the place where I grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania in an aging steel town in the 80s and 90s.
21:57We experienced a lot of pain as the steel industry collapsed and we're still recovering today.
22:03I saw firsthand what happens when the economy changes and we're too slow to adapt.
22:08Well, let today's announcement be clear that the governor and I refuse to let that happen here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
22:16We need to be smart and strategic.
22:19That's why our 10 year economic development plan is so important.
22:24We have so many resources here in Pennsylvania.
22:28We have lots of waterways, lots of energy generation and most importantly, our people.
22:34Labor is well represented here and we know that nothing gets done without workers and workers must have a seat at the table.
22:43We're so proud that you're here with us today.
22:46It's my pleasure to introduce Kevin Miller from Amazon to the podium.
22:52Kevin, I know has spent some time here in Pennsylvania.
22:54I think a CMU grad.
22:56It's great to have you back in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
22:59So thank you, Lieutenant Governor, and thank you for the governor and Governor Davis for the kind introduction.
23:14Governor Shapiro, Senator McCormick, Secretary Seiger, thank you.
23:20We really appreciate your leadership.
23:22I also want to especially recognize all of the builders that we have here, both from Amazon and from our contractors and subcontractors.
23:31They are already working to develop our sites.
23:33You are already working to develop our sites.
23:35And we really appreciate that support.
23:37And there will be a lot more work to come.
23:39No doubt.
23:40Today, I am proud to announce that Amazon is investing $20 billion in the state of Pennsylvania.
23:53That is the largest private sector investment in the Commonwealth's history.
23:56All right.
23:57Say it again.
23:58Say it again.
23:59$20 billion, Governor.
24:03And this is not just an investment in technology.
24:06It really is an investment in Pennsylvania's future and America's leadership in artificial intelligence, as the governor was sharing a moment ago.
24:15This is really a transformative set of projects that's going to establish multiple state-of-the-art AI and cloud computing innovation campuses, data centers across Pennsylvania, starting right here in Salem Township and in Falls Township.
24:30These facilities are really going to serve as the backbone for America's AI infrastructure, helping make sure that the United States continues to remain at the forefront of global technology innovation.
24:42And Governor Shapiro, you know, mentioned some smart use of AI in the government, already saving time and improving the competitiveness of this government.
24:50And this infrastructure is only going to help that grow both for government and for a lot of businesses across the state of Pennsylvania.
24:57But the true power of this investment also lies in the impact on everyday people's lives.
25:02We're creating twelve hundred and fifty new high skilled family sustaining jobs in range of roles from network engineers and data center technicians to facility managers and security managers.
25:16During construction, which is a multi-year process for projects of this scale and throughout our entire supply chain, both through construction and as we're operational,
25:25we're going to support thousands more additional jobs across Pennsylvania.
25:29And these jobs are not just going to be a point in time.
25:32Oftentimes we see careers made out of the work that's done around our data centers.
25:38I want to acknowledge Governor Shapiro and the administration leadership in making this all possible.
25:44There is a fantastic commitment to workforce development and economic growth that's really helping bring this investment to Pennsylvania.
25:51And really the best incentive that we as Amazon can receive is this level of commitment and engagement, which gives us the long term confidence to invest here now and well into the future.
26:04And together we're really creating a blueprint for how government and industry can partner to drive innovation while creating opportunity for many, many families.
26:14We're backing this commitment with additional action that I'm proud to share today.
26:18And this is a number of comprehensive workforce development initiatives that we're sponsoring and supporting.
26:24That includes a new data center technician training programs at local colleges, our Amazon Community Workforce Accelerator, as well as a very cool STEM programs for K-12 students.
26:36And I've had the opportunity to see several times and just seeing the, you know, the faces of kids light up when they're exposed to digital technology and see the possibilities to be a future builder.
26:47That's, that's amazing.
26:48You know, as, as Lieutenant Governor said, Pennsylvania has some fantastic educational institutions.
26:53I was very honored to attend Carnegie Mellon and spend seven years in Pittsburgh, great city, including roads that run back on themselves.
27:00That's always fun.
27:01But, you know, we're establishing partnerships with Pennsylvania's educational institutions to really help develop the curriculum and training programs that are going to prepare workers for tomorrow's jobs.
27:13And, you know, all of these facilities are really going to help power the next wave of American innovation in AI and machine learning in digital and cloud technology, ensuring that we continue to maintain our competitive edge.
27:26Our choice of Pennsylvania for this investment is not accidental.
27:31It's a combination of the skilled workforce, the strong infrastructure, as well as the commitment to clean energy and energy from multiple sources that really align well with Amazon's needs, building the future of AI and cloud computing.
27:43We see in Pennsylvania, a partner that shares our vision for sustainable community centered growth.
27:49And that is really why we're so excited to announce this and partner here today.
27:53So I want to just emphasize this is only the beginning.
27:56We're committed to being a long term partner in Pennsylvania's success.
27:59And we look forward to continuing to grow for the years ahead.
28:02So thank you again for the partnership.
28:04And now I'm going to welcome Shannon Kellogg, the vice president for public policy in AWS, to share more details about some of our community and educational initiatives.
28:12Thanks.
28:13Thanks.
28:14Thank you very much.
28:20All right.
28:21Good afternoon.
28:22Well, I'll tell you something.
28:25We love to go where we're wanted.
28:28And boy, do we feel wanted here in Berwick, Pennsylvania.
28:31It was a great day.
28:34Well, first of all, I'd like to thank and recognize state, national and local leaders who have made today possible, starting with Governor Shapiro.
28:45You've got a great governor.
28:46Thank you so much.
28:50And Senator Dave McCormick, also a wonderful partner.
28:54Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Congressman Dan Muser, and many, many officials from the Salem Township, Board of Supervisors and other county leaders from Columbia and Luzerne counties.
29:09And we also have Representative Ledbetter, who's joined us today.
29:13Thank you so much.
29:17Pennsylvania is not becoming the latest center for technology and investment by accident.
29:23You've heard a lot about that today.
29:25But it's true.
29:26You have an incredible story here to tell, both in Berwick and the counties we're investing in and across the Commonwealth.
29:34Governor Shapiro has laid out a vision for the Commonwealth with a strong technology focused agenda.
29:41Again, you already heard about that.
29:43Today's announcement is the result of deliberate policy, economic development and educational choices made by all of these leaders who have made it attractive for us to be here.
29:56So thank you very much.
29:57Pennsylvania is also home to a rich mix of energy generation.
30:07It turns out you need energy and power to run data centers, including many carbon-free resources.
30:14Some of you may have heard about Amazon's long-term carbon-free goal, which includes renewable energy.
30:22We have 12 solar projects here in the Commonwealth today.
30:26And it also includes nuclear energy.
30:28And you may have heard about some of our aspirations there as well.
30:31And so power is central.
30:33And we are grateful to Senator McCormick also when you talk about energy for his convening a discussion on energy in the Commonwealth coming up in mid-July.
30:42So we're looking forward to that as well.
30:44The modern cloud computing industry is built on data centers.
30:47You heard Kevin talk about that.
30:49By the way, this guy operates a lot of data centers around the world.
30:54And states like yours are prioritizing these public-private partnerships and are realizing not only the benefits of cloud innovation,
31:02but the significant local economic opportunity hosting data centers provide.
31:07Real jobs, you see it today, come with these data centers.
31:11And boy, are we looking forward to putting you all the work.
31:19We're also excited to partner with a number of educational institutions across the state, as Kevin mentioned.
31:28And that includes a new partnership with the University of Pittsburgh to create the first cloud innovation center on the East Coast.
31:36And the first to have a specialized focus on health and sports analytics.
31:40And through this innovation, and though this innovation is happening here in Pennsylvania, it's because of the Commonwealth with all of the things that you're doing around cloud computing and the benefits,
31:53it'll extend way past the borders of Pennsylvania.
31:57We're talking about national and global leadership through partnerships like the center that has been established.
32:03We also love to get involved in the communities that we invest in and operate in.
32:12If any of you have walked recently through the Susquehanna Trail the past month or so, you may have noticed it looked a little cleaner.
32:22Well, I'm proud to say on May 30th, Amazon employees turned out in mass to collect trash, trim trees and clear leaves and other obstructions for walkers, runners and cyclists.
32:34This is consistent with the grassroots commitments our employees make everywhere we operate.
32:40In 2024 alone, our data center employees contributed over 30,000 volunteer hours of community service, and we're ready to go here in this part of Pennsylvania.
32:55Today, I'd also like to announce that Amazon is launching the new Amazon Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Fund, with a 250,000 commitment initially,
33:07for grants up to $10,000 supporting STEM education, sustainability, environment, digital skills, culture and heritage, and health and well-being.
33:18So we're going to put grants right out into the community from the start.
33:22Great.
33:28This fund builds on $100,000 in grant funding already distributed through our partnership with the Berwick Community College,
33:36and their Giving Foundation to help local nonprofit programs and services targeting food insecurity, housing insecurities, transportation, STEM,
33:46and agricultural tech education.
33:49We're just getting started.
33:51Amazon will be training in doing education programs, as Kevin talked, so I won't repeat that, but we're really heavily invested in those programs,
34:00and it's part of our being embedded in the communities we operate, and as we move forward, we will remain committed to investing in other programs across the Commonwealth,
34:10and I'm sure you all will bring other ideas to us.
34:13We view Pennsylvania as a place where we can drive community and economic impact that we're proud of,
34:19and these investments support jobs for people who help bring us cutting-edge services to customers all over the world,
34:27from construction workers who build the data centers to the electricians who wire them,
34:32and the maintenance teams who provide their upkeep.
34:35And we are proud to call Pennsylvania our partner and our newest home.
34:39Thank you so much.
34:44Before I ask another colleague to come up here, I did want to recognize all of my Amazon colleagues who have worked on this project.
34:53I know it's taken a ton of work.
34:55Merle Madrid, a colleague, is here, and he spent a lot of time with the governor's team and other folks in the local community, too.
35:03And then you heard the governor reference Becky Ford, your hometown girl, who has been instrumental to this project.
35:11And I have to say that Becky and her parents, she's got the AWS license plate.
35:17Her parents, please raise your hand, are here today.
35:20There they are.
35:21Including her dad, who worked 30 years in the nuclear plant nearby.
35:28So really great to have you both here to recognize the hard work that your daughter does.
35:34So it's now my pleasure to introduce John Olenek of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
35:42Thank you so much.
35:43Great stuff.
35:45Good morning, everyone.
35:46It's an honor to stand before you today.
35:47And I want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank all of the people who are here today.
35:51Some local politicians, state leaders, federal leaders, and especially the governor, who has demonstrated a deep and unwavering commitment to working people and skilled labor in the state of Pennsylvania.
36:18Governor Shapiro, your support of new businesses has allowed us to double our apprenticeship, strengthen the foundation of our workforce, giving countless young men and women the opportunity to build real careers right here in Pennsylvania.
36:30I want to thank you for your leadership.
36:32They're not just learning a trade.
36:34They're learning dignity, discipline, and the power of building something with their own two hands.
36:38Getting stuff done – I'll let you stick to how it's supposed to be said – is more than just a saying.
36:45It's hope.
36:46It's jobs.
36:47It's a lifeline to working families and the promise that no one in Pennsylvania is going to be left behind.
36:53Getting stuff done is bringing real tangible progress to our region.
36:56It's bringing new opportunities to local businesses and the kind of momentum that only comes when governments stand shoulder to shoulder with labor and business.
37:03On behalf of the IBEW, the building trades, our members, especially our apprentices and their families, I want to say thank you.
37:09Thank you for believing in us, standing with us, and thank you for helping Pennsylvania rise above.
37:15With that, I'd like to welcome Dr. Patrick Jones.
37:18Thank you, Governor Shapiro and Secretary Seiger for your leadership in bringing this incredible opportunity to Pennsylvania.
37:37And thanks to Kevin Miller and Shannon Kellogg from Amazon for recognizing that hardworking Pennsylvanians are the perfect workforce you need to help power connectivity and innovation around the globe.
37:54As President of Bucks County Community College, I am pleased to share that all of Pennsylvania's 15 community colleges are eager and poised to partner with you for the long term.
38:06Our sector of higher education is uniquely focused on workforce development.
38:13Partnering with industry is the best way for us to succeed.
38:19To meet the needs of the data center industry, four of our community colleges in eastern Pennsylvania are forming a consortium we are calling the Technology and Trades Workforce Consortium.
38:31In addition to Bucks County Community College, it includes Lehigh Carbon, Luzerne, and Northampton Community Colleges.
38:40We are focusing on three specific lines of effort.
38:44First, we are partnering with career and technical high schools for their students to earn post-secondary credentials in technology and skilled construction trades.
38:54This will include offering clear pathways into community college for education and training beyond what they receive in high school while awarding credit for what they have already learned so they can enter the workforce sooner and well prepared.
39:11All four of our consortium members already work seamlessly with our regional high schools and career and technical high schools.
39:19Through our consortium, we will be able to better focus on the needs of data centers and help ensure students are being prepared with the knowledge and skills required for this unique sector.
39:32Second, we are partnering with the building and construction trades to offer pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare students to enter registered apprenticeships and secure employment in the skilled building and construction trades.
39:53All three of our consortium members are already doing this at some level.
39:56For example, at Bucks County Community College, we have a very robust set of offerings in pre-apprenticeship programs, including building and construction trades, electric, industrial maintenance, metal work, and welding.
40:11And we are building a new program in HVAC to launch in spring 2026.
40:18Our students are trained by experienced and highly skilled union workers.
40:23Most of our graduates secure good paying jobs immediately upon graduating from their programs.
40:29Our consortium will be working to replicate this model at all of our community colleges.
40:34And third, we are offering relevant micro-credentials, such as industry certifications focused on job-relevant skills that are developed and certified over a short period of time.
40:53All four of our colleges in the consortium already offer a variety of micro-credentials.
40:59To meet the needs of an expanding data center industry in Pennsylvania, we will collaborate to determine industry needs and share expertise and resources.
41:09So that no matter where someone lives, one of our colleges will be able to help them attain the skills they need for success in this growing industry.
41:19Examples of these credentials include both those necessary for the physical construction of the centers, such as OSHA 10 and NFPA 70E Electrical Certification.
41:31And those needed for data center operations, such as CompTIA Network Plus, Security Plus, Cloud Plus, and Cisco Certified Network Assistant.
41:41These certifications cover knowledge and qualifications for entry-level data center roles that can be completed in under one year.
41:50These micro-credential offerings are designed to be flexible and scalable, delivering short-term credentials that help people move into new careers and advance within them by attaining additional certifications as needed throughout their careers.
42:06Through these three lines of effort, and others, if it is determined there are other needs, Pennsylvania's community colleges are ready to help prepare the workforce for the growing data center sector.
42:19Again, thank you for making this investment in the workers, families, and communities of Pennsylvania.
42:27And it is my pleasure to welcome to the podium a fellow veteran, native of Bloomsburg, Senator Dave McCormick.
42:44Thank you, Governor.
42:48All right.
42:49What a blessed day in Northeast Pennsylvania.
42:51It's great to be with you all today.
42:52When I graduated from Bloomsburg High School in 1983, 42 years ago, I would have never imagined standing here in Berwick as part of a program that announces $20 billion of investment in Salem Township, Bucks County.
43:07What a great day for Pennsylvania.
43:09What a great day.
43:11And it didn't happen by accident.
43:16So I want to first express my gratitude to Kevin Miller and Shannon Kellogg and the entire Amazon team for the effort you put into this to get this across the finish line.
43:28And for believing in Pennsylvania, you will not be disappointed.
43:32And I want to say, Secretary Seiger, Lieutenant Governor and Governor, congratulations on such a huge victory for Pennsylvania.
43:42I know how hard you worked on this.
43:45And it's a great day for all Pennsylvanians.
43:47And we're here excited to celebrate.
43:50You know, as you said, it didn't happen by accident.
43:53All that hard work, all that focus.
43:56But Pennsylvania is blessed.
43:58We have amazing assets.
44:00We have the second largest energy capability in the country, the fourth largest natural gas reserves in the world.
44:08We have the absolute best skilled workforce, Hardin's working workforce.
44:13Not in Pennsylvania, in the country, right?
44:15We have it right here.
44:16It's a huge asset.
44:18These incredible universities, we have all the ingredients.
44:23We have all the ingredients for Pennsylvania's rebirth.
44:26All the ingredients to put Pennsylvania at the very top.
44:30We need to tell our story.
44:31And to that end, as the governor mentioned or Shannon mentioned, we're going to do an energy
44:37summit, energy innovation summit in Pittsburgh later this summer to tell Pennsylvania's story.
44:44But the formula is clear.
44:45If we can tell Pennsylvania's story about all these incredible assets, if we can have the focus
44:50and execution, if we can have the collaboration that we see here in this event today,
44:57then Pennsylvania's brightest days lie ahead.
45:00And thank you for being here.
45:01Thank you, Governor, for having me.
45:02Congratulations.
45:04Take it back to you.
45:05Thank you, Senator.
45:06As we close, I hope that it is not lost on anyone here.
45:11That you've had Democrats and Republicans stand together.
45:22You've had leaders from the federal, state, and local government work together.
45:27You've brought together community college leaders from Berwick to Bucks County and places
45:33in between.
45:34We've got the head of the state chamber, Luke Bernstein, here standing together with the head
45:40of the Pennsylvania Building Trades, Rob Baer.
45:43This is really unique, what we're building here in this commonwealth.
45:48People coming together with common purpose to get stuff done.
45:53While Amazon helped catalyze this, I think they also saw something special in Pennsylvania,
46:00what we've been able to do here together.
46:03So as I close, I want to thank all of you who are here today.
46:06All of you who believe in this mission.
46:09All of you who are doing this hard work to move Pennsylvania forward, to chart a new course,
46:16and to write a next chapter in Pennsylvania's leadership.
46:19Thank you all.
46:20God bless you.
46:21This is a great day.