Amazon’s New Data Center Set to Transform Oregon’s Arlington into Tech Hub
A massive Amazon data center on 376 acres of land in the Gilliam County city of Arlington will change the sparsely populated farming area into more than just a truck stop on the highway, says Mayor Jeffrey Bufton.
Largest Economic Boost for Gilliam County
He was reacting to the news of an enormous data center that will offer Gilliam County its biggest economic boost in years. The county is home to a mere 2,000 residents sparsely spread across 1,200 square miles.
Amazon already operates large data centers in the neighboring counties of Morrow and Umatilla, and its Gilliam County venture will cement Oregon’s standing as a leading venue for data centers nationwide.
Mayor Bufton says he is excited by the prospect of the Amazon data center that will enhance growth in the area and transform the tiny Columbia River city from a mere truck stop on the highway.
Arlington lies 140 miles east of Portland on Interstate 84. Gilliam County is a wheat-growing area, and home more recently to wind and solar projects.
Amazon Bought the Arlington Acreage for $10 Million
Last summer, Amazon bought the 376-acreage on a hilltop above the city for $10 million and is in the process of purchasing another 30 acres for $3 million from the Port of Arlington.
Amazon vice-president Kevin Miller has confirmed that it will take many years before the data center is built as the company seeks electricity and tax breaks for the site. However, he has confirmed that the Arlington venture will be as large as the data centers in neighboring Morrow and Umatilla counties.
Oregon Tax Incentives Save Amazon Nearly $100 Million
In its drive to attract tech companies to establish centers in Oregon, the state does not limit the size of tax incentives offered by local governments.
Amazon already receives close to $100 million in tax breaks annually for its data centers in Oregon which far outstrips the $50 million local taxes it pays. Economists say that the state incentives will save Amazon more than $1 billion in future years.
Although Amazon has not revealed how many people its employs at its Oregon server farms, it is estimated that the company employs several hundred people in Morrow and Umatilla counties.
Amazon is committed to buying its energy requirements from renewable sources and Arlington is subject to the state’s clean-energy mandate. The city buys its power from PacifiCorp which is not exempt from Oregon’s renewable energy policies.
Also, Amazon has agreed to purchase more than 200,000 hours of electricity every year from a Gilliam County wind farm but will need much more than that to power its Arlington operations.