AWS celebrated a milestone in its regional growth and development with the opening of a new office space in Hermiston, Oregon. The March 6 ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighted AWS’s long-term commitment to eastern Oregon.
Since 2012, AWS has invested more than $30 billion in eastern Oregon, resulting in an estimated $9.1 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) to the area and supporting more than 7,400 jobs on an annual average basis. Additionally, AWS contributed $54.2 million locally through property tax and fee payments in 2023 alone.
“In 2011, I was the first AWS employee hired to support our eastern Oregon region. As we have continued to grow, it has been rewarding to see AWS now support over 7,400 full-time equivalent jobs locally,” said David Tanner, director of infrastructure operations at AWS. “I have witnessed first-hand how we have helped grow the community here, through workforce development and community engagement, and how our operations have supported thousands of local jobs.”
Located adjacent to Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) and WorkSource Oregon, the new office space fosters further collaboration with both community partners. BMCC and WorkSource Oregon help AWS deliver skills-based training and job promotion for eastern Oregon residents pursuing data center-related careers.
For example, AWS and BMCC established the Data Center Technician Training Program, an Amazon Career Choice one-year program that enables students to be fully prepared for employment in the industry, and Fusion Splicing workshops, a two-day free training on fiber optic installation and repair. As a result of these partnerships, local residents can access valuable career pathways.
Dan Dorran, Umatilla County Commissioner, emphasized the broader impact: “Since 2012, AWS has been instrumental in diversifying and strengthening Umatilla County’s economy. This new office space, coupled with their ongoing partnership with BMCC, shows AWS’s dedication to not just creating jobs, but building careers and opportunities for our residents.”
The office space will function as a training center, meeting space for community partners, and collaborative workspace. Through this expansion, AWS continues to demonstrate its ongoing investment and collaboration with eastern Oregon communities.
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