Amazon Web Services (AWS) has selected Richmond County, North Carolina, as the site of a $10 billion data center campus—one of the largest technology investments in state history. This move signals the beginning of a major economic shift in the Sandhills region, and with it, a window of opportunity for real estate investors.
📍 Project at a Glance
- Location: Energy Way Industrial Park, Rockingham, NC
- Total Investment: $10 billion
- Campus Size: 800 acres, with plans for up to 20 hyperscale data center buildings (200K–225K sq ft each)
- Jobs: At least 500 direct high-skill jobs (engineers, technicians, cybersecurity, operations)
- Incentives: 20-year tax incentive package:
- 50% reimbursement on property taxes
- 65% reimbursement on personal property taxes (equipment/infrastructure)
- Infrastructure Support: Investments in water, fiber, and electric capacity—at no cost to local taxpayers
🏘️ Where Will the Workforce Live?
The employment impact of Amazon’s facility will ripple well beyond Rockingham. Employees will likely choose housing based on lifestyle, price point, and commute. Key areas to watch:
- Rockingham – the center of gravity, poised for rapid residential and retail demand
- Hamlet, Ellerbe, Cordova – smaller towns with growth potential through infill and new development
- Laurinburg – regional affordability hub, ~30 minutes from the site
- Southern Pines & Pinehurst – higher-end communities likely to attract senior talent
- Fayetteville – major urban market ~1 hour away, with strong rental stock and amenities
Each of these areas could see rising demand for single-family rentals, workforce housing, and neighborhood services over the next 3–5 years.
💼 Economic & Real Estate Impact
Short-Term:
- Surge in construction employment and contractor activity
- Spike in housing demand near the site
- Upgrades to utility and transportation infrastructure
Medium-Term:
- Ongoing demand for housing, retail, healthcare, and services
- Growth of small businesses serving Amazon’s workforce
- Spillover tech and logistics investments targeting nearby counties
Long-Term:
- Richmond County becomes a node in North Carolina’s expanding tech corridor
- Real estate appreciation driven by job stability and infrastructure strength
- Institutional interest in workforce housing, build-to-rent, and neighborhood retail centers
🤝 Who Made It Happen
This project didn’t come together by accident. A multi-entity coalition helped make the case for Richmond County:
- Governor Josh Stein’s Office – championed the state’s tech economy and provided recruitment leadership
- Richmond County Commissioners – approved incentive agreements and rezoning
- EDPNC (Economic Development Partnership of NC) – coordinated business development efforts
- NC’s Southeast – led regional promotion and labor market planning
- AWS (Amazon Web Services) – committed to community engagement and workforce development
- Includes a $150,000 community grant fund for STEM and sustainability initiatives
Final Take
Amazon’s $10B investment in Richmond County is more than just a data center—it’s a launchpad for long-term growth. For real estate investors, this is the kind of early-stage market signal that’s hard to ignore.
Now is the time to explore opportunities in residential development, value-add retail, and land banking. The infrastructure is coming. The jobs are coming. And the smart capital will follow.
References
- Governor’s Press Release
- Amazon Official Announcement
- EDPNC Announcement
- Axios Raleigh Coverage
- Richmond County News Release
Eddie Coleman, CCIM, is the Principal Investment Officer at NC Capital Group. With over 40 years of experience in Commercial Real Estate in North Carolina and South Carolina, his experience spans multifamily, retail, office, historic adaptation, etc. In addition to advising clients and brokering transactions, he has extensive knowledge of North Carolina through experience in corporate site acquisition, development, capitalization, HUD financing, etc. He holds the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.