Amazon’s agreement with Corning highlights data center fiber demands

Targeting North Carolina

North Carolina has emerged as a key target for new data centers, with Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft among many hyperscalers that have launched large-scale projects in the state.

Data center construction space across Charlotte and Raleigh increased 15-fold, according to a CBRE report, with over $3 billion injected into the state's economy in a single year.

Amazon’s agreement with Corning complements Amazon’s plans to invest $10 billion in North Carolina to expand its cloud computing infrastructure.

North Carolina has been a key target market for Amazon. Since 2010, Amazon has invested $20 billion in the state, creating over 26,000 jobs spanning logistics, cloud infrastructure, and renewable energy.

U.S. Senator Ted Budd praised the agreement for creating over 1,000 jobs in the state, “while also strengthening the critical infrastructure of the U.S. supply chain.”

Amazon’s long-term commitment to North Carolina offers benefits beyond direct investments and jobs created in the state. Through workforce development, Career Choice, and upskilling programs, Amazon has already provided practical training to nearly 7,000 people in North Carolina, helping open new pathways to higher-paying jobs and fulfilling careers.

Amazon is hardly alone in its desire to enhance its data center and overall presence in North Carolina.

In January, Corning secured a multiyear agreement with Meta worth up to $6 billion to accelerate the company’s U.S. data center reach, further solidifying the fiber manufacturer’s presence in the growing data center segment. 

The investment will expand its manufacturing footprint in North Carolina and support an increase in Corning’s employment in the state by 15 to 20 percent.

North Carolina has been a key investment target for Corning.

In October 2025, Corning announced that it would invest between $170 million and $267.9 million to expand its Hickory, North Carolina, plant. As part of the agreement with Hickory, Corning is receiving a 33-acre lot at no cost under an economic development agreement with the city and county.

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