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MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Amazon announced Monday it will invest $10 billion in Montgomery County to build a data center campus, a project that company and state leaders say will create 400 full-time jobs and generate long-term economic growth for mid-Missouri.Republican Gov.Mike Kehoe called the project a major win for the state.He said it represents a public-private partnership that will bring new opportunities to the region, a position Kehoe has taken previously on data center developments."This is about delivering great-paying jobs for Missouri families," Kehoe said."I truly believe the state of Missouri has solidified its spot in the nation as a leader in innovation." Quoting President Donald Trump, Kehoe added that "AI dominance is the space race of our time," saying Missouri is helping secure America's role in artificial intelligence development.The data center site is southeast of New Florence, which sits at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Missouri 19, according to previous KOMU 8 reporting.It would be about 1,000 acres, which is about 1.5 square miles, according to planning documents cited in previous KOMU 8 reporting.Montgomery County commissioners voted unanimously in December 2025 to approve a tax abatement framework for the data center.Montgomery County Presiding Commissioner Ryan Poston said the investment positions the county as a leader in the state."Montgomery is going to show the rest of Missouri how to lead," Poston said."Because that's what we do." He later added, "We're going to continue to lead, and everyone else can follow.If you want to jump on, let's go." In public feedback meetings about the data center proposal, residents have raised concerns about potential impacts on electric and water bills and the environment.Amazon and Google data centers in Montgomery County have support from officials but face pushback from residents.Here's a timeline.Amazon Vice President of Public Policy Shannon Kellogg said the company has operated in Missouri since 2017 and already employs more than 10,000 people statewide.Kellogg said the development will create 400 full-time positions, including jobs for electricians, pipefitters and operations personnel.Steve Etcher with the Greater Montgomery County Economic Development Council said the project's impact extends beyond the jobs themselves."The impact, and the jobs this will create, will strengthen resources that support schools and essential community services," Etcher said."It will provide opportunities for years to come." Amazon also announced several community investments, including $3 million for Montgomery County emergency dispatch services, $1 million for an open-air and food space at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds and $3 million for community programs.The company will also provide a $150,000 community fund and a $50,000 grant for local teachers and school supplies.Two data centers are under development in Montgomery County.The projects promise economic benefits, but they face opposition from residents.State leaders said Amazon will host a public open house June 23 where residents can meet project experts, ask questions about topics including water use and sound impacts and view a demonstration model of a data center.Kellogg said the investments are intended to reflect local priorities."Because the people who live here know best.They know best what this community needs," Kellogg said.Google data center Google is also building a data center across the interstate from the Amazon Web Services data center.In a similar media event as Monday's announcement for the Amazon data center, officials from Google and the state announced Google's investment last month.Google said it will invest $15 billion in its data center, which is south of I-70 near New Florence and is further along in the construction process.Lawsuit challenges approval process A lawsuit filed in February asked a Cole County judge to invalidate key advancements the Montgomery County Commission has made in the process to bring the Amazon data center to the county.The lawsuit, filed by Preserve Montgomery County LLC, alleged that the commission violated Missouri open meetings and open records laws in its process of notifying the public about meetings where it made decisions to advance the data center project.The next hearing for the case is set for Aug.3, according to court records.