Amazon AWS: Amazon Receives $1 Billion in Oregon Tax Rebates For New Data Center Facilities

Officials in a rural county in the northeastern corner of Oregon have voted to provide Amazon with tax benefits that are believed to be worth one billion dollars so that the company can build five additional data centers there. According to The Oregonian and OregonLive, the five commissioners of the Port of Morrow cast a unanimous decision on Wednesday, which was the final stage in securing the enterprise zone incentives. 

Officials in the area believe that the incentives will entice Amazon to spend an additional $12 billion in their county, which is located approximately 160 miles up the Columbia River from Portland. Already, Morrow County is home to four of Amazon's massive data centers, and the company's operations provide a number of local residents with employment. However, as a result of its expansion, a contentious dispute has arisen regarding how the Seattle company obtained its benefits, and an investigation into possible instances of self-dealing on the part of those who awarded its tax breaks is currently proceeding.