Amazon is trying to win over data center critics with a pledge to be more transparent and invest in the communities where it builds its facilities. But it also warns that if the backlash continues, it could have major consequences for the U.S.
Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman said in a blog post Friday that today’s massive data center buildout is similar to the mid-century construction of the nation’s interstate highway system, which helped transform the U.S. economy.
But Garman argued that the stakes could be even higher this time around, as countries around the world are racing to take the lead in AI and reap the economic and national security benefits that come with it.
The blog post comes as data centers face growing opposition in communities around the country over concerns about rising electricity bills and pollution. Data Center Watch recently reported that local opposition has blocked or delayed at least 120 U.S. data center projects worth nearly $200 billion during the first half of 2026 alone.
“Right now there are over 100 data center moratoriums being considered across the country. If these measures are enacted, the U.S. could be writing its own losing ticket to this race, and the consequences would last generations. As a country, we can’t afford to find ourselves in that position,” Garman wrote.
Much of Garman’s blog post was dedicated to pushing back on what he characterized as “myths” about data centers. He also suggested that some of the criticism may be fueled by foreign rivals spreading misinformation, a claim AI-ally President Donald Trump has also repeatedly made without evidence.
“In fact, this build out is so important geopolitically that there are widespread reports of various countries intentionally seeding misinformation in the U.S. about data centers to trick us into slowing down,” Garman wrote.
Still, Amazon appears to be trying to assuage at least some of those concerns.
The company laid out a set of commitments for communities where it operates data centers. For instance, Amazon says it will work to ensure its facilities don’t raise residents’ electricity bills, create jobs with competitive wages, and hold open houses to give communities more information about its projects.
Amazon also announced a new program called Built Together that will invest more than $1 billion over the next five years in the communites their data centers are being built. Amazon says local communities will help decide how that money is spent, with funding potentially going toward education, job training, energy affordability, and water and energy conservation.
For context, Amazon plans to spend about $220 billion on capital expenditures this year, with much of its growing spending going toward AI infrastructure. Meta announced a similar $1 billion fund in August.
Amazon also committed to no longer use nondisclosure agreements with government agencies it works with on data center projects.
Those controversial agreements have prevented public officials in the past from disclosing details about proposed data centers, including in some cases the company that will ultimately use the facility. The practice has raised concerns that officials are placing the interests of big tech before those of their constituents.
Amazon isn’t the first tech giant to make that change. Microsoft also pledged earlier this year to stop using NDAs with local governments for its data center projects.
Notably, Amazon’s announcement comes just days after Rep. Jamie Raskin sent letters to Amazon, Google, Meta, and Oracle seeking more information about their use of NDAs with government officials regarding data center projects, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
