Corning Inc. and Amazon announced a multibillion-dollar agreement to supply optical fiber, cable and connectivity solutions needed for Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) data centers in the United States. AWS is dramatically expanding this infrastructure to support AI offerings, among other functions.

“This agreement with Amazon represents a significant milestone for Corning and for American manufacturing,” said Wendell Weeks, chairman, CEO, and president of Corning. “For 175 years, Corning has pioneered the technologies that connect people and transform industries. Amazon's investment will help us expand production, create 1,000 new advanced manufacturing jobs at our facilities, and lead the way toward building a resilient US manufacturing base.”

Investing in the workforce

The companies touted the contribution to career and economic development at Corning’s facilities in North Carolina, USA, as well as to US manufacturing. The multiyear deal will create 1,000 new highly skilled jobs at Corning’s manufacturing facilities across North Carolina, as well as “hundreds of additional construction jobs” to support expansion of the facilities, according to the companies.

As part of the agreement, Amazon will also work with Corning on a new program that will expand its fiber optic technician training program with Catawba Valley Community College, based in Hickory, NC, USA. The program trains students for careers in fiber optic manufacturing and related technical roles, including in fusion splicing.

“Amazon's investments in North Carolina have created more than 26,000 jobs across the state. This multibillion-dollar agreement with Corning continues that commitment, channeling investment into American manufacturing and creating 1,000 new jobs at their facilities near our data centers,” said Matt Garman, CEO of AWS. “These long-term investments create long-term careers and real opportunity in the communities where we operate.”

Corning making moves

The Amazon agreement marks the latest in a series of hyperscaler deals for Corning. In May, the glass company announced a long-term partnership with AI chip giant Nvidia to expand its US-based optical connectivity manufacturing capacity by 10× and expand its US fiber production capacity by more than 50% to meet the increasing demand of AI factories.

The Nvidia agreement followed a multiyear, up to US$6 billion partnership with Meta to source advanced optical fiber, cable and connectivity products from Corning. This agreement will also prompt significant expansion of Corning’s manufacturing capabilities across North Carolina.

Corning’s stock price, which has doubled in value since the start of the year, jumped after news of the Amazon deal broke.