Amazon Web Services (AWS) is looking to expand its data center footprint in Oregon and is in the process of securing 400 acres in Arlington for the project. According to the company, it could still be many years until it is actually operating a site in Arlington due to the process of getting permits, electricity, and negotiating tax breaks for the site.
Arlington's Mayor, Jeffery Bufton, said regarding the project: "It’s going to be an enhanced growth spurt for us, and we’re actually quite excited about it. We won’t end up being just a truck stop on the highway.” According to Oregon Live, the city and the port have been working together to prepare the properties for development for over a decade.
AWS' VP of global data centers, Kevin Miller, told Oregon Live that Arlington's proximity to its existing locations in Oregon makes it ideal from a latency perspective. He added that the land acquisition is the first step, but declined to give a timeline on when building may commence.
