Tech Giant Breaks Ground on Major Data Hub at Port of Morrow, Promising Jobs and Scrutiny

In a move set to reshape the local economic landscape, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has finalized plans to construct a significant data center campus on land leased from the Port of Morrow, adjacent to the Boardman Airport. The project, confirmed by port officials this week, marks a major investment in the region’s growing technology infrastructure corridor.

The development is slated for a 120-acre parcel within the port’s industrial complex. While specific construction timelines and the total number of data centers planned remain under wraps, the scale of the land commitment signals a substantial, long-term presence. Such facilities are critical hubs for cloud computing, powering everything from streaming services to remote business operations.

For Boardman and Morrow County, the announcement brings the dual promise of high-profile investment and new employment opportunities. “This is exactly the type of diversified industry we work to attract,” said a Port of Morrow representative. “It means family-wage jobs in construction, security, and technical maintenance, adding a new sector to our agricultural and manufacturing base.”

However, the project is also expected to undergo intense local scrutiny. Key concerns among residents and officials will center on the immense water usage required for server cooling in our arid climate and the draw on the regional electrical grid. The Port has indicated that Amazon’s plans include utilizing advanced, water-efficient cooling systems and that the company will be pursuing all necessary state and local permits, with public input opportunities, in the coming months.

As the region positions itself as a destination for energy-intensive industries, the Amazon data center deal is seen as a pivotal test case for balancing economic growth with the sustainable management of Eastern Oregon’s vital natural resources.