HAMLET — Site clearing has started at Energy Way Industrial Park for the future Amazon Web Services data center complex.
County Manager Bryan Land told the Richmond County Board of Commissioners during his monthly report on Oct. 7 that crews “mobilized on the site” the previous week to begin timbering, site clearing and grubbing on the 850-acre project.
The next phase, which Land said could begin later this month, includes bulk excavation and site grading.
Amazon, along with county and state leaders, announced in June the company’s plan to invest $10 billion in its next artificial intelligence innovation campus and eventually create at least 500 “good paying” jobs.
Related to Amazon, Land said a notice to proceed has been issued to S&L Contracting to start the sewer project, set to begin on Nov. 3 and take about 300 days to complete.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 30 at Cole Auditorium.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Moe Green is scheduled to be in the area Oct. 27 to tour both Richmond Senior High School and Richmond Community College.
The main focus of the visit, according to Land, will be “highlighting the educational needs that Amazon will be focusing on here in the next six to nine months.”
