Amazon says it has stopped using NDAs with county officials for data center projects and acknowledges community backlash is leading to data center moratoriums

In a blog post published Friday, CEO Matt Garman detailed the steps the company says it's already taking around data centers.

Wired 2026-10-03 Molly Taft

Context & Ripple Effects

Amazon's concessions follow a 2025 analysis finding that local officials commonly used NDAs and opaque project entities in data-center proposals, making disclosure a central point of conflict in local data-center negotiations. The company is responding as more than 500 US towns and counties adopted data-center bans amid power, water, zoning, and labor constraints on its buildout.

Amazon had already joined other hyperscalers in offering communities relief from data-center power costs. Ending NDAs and committing more than $1 billion over five years extends that approach from utility bills to the permitting process and local infrastructure.

First-order effects

County officials working with Amazon on data-center projects can negotiate and communicate without Amazon NDAs, removing a recurring source of distrust in project approvals.
Host communities gain access to Amazon's planned infrastructure and community-project spending, while Amazon takes on a five-year cost to make proposed facilities more acceptable locally.

Second-order effects

Microsoft and Google face added pressure to match Amazon with clearer project disclosure and community benefits, building on hyperscalers' earlier efforts to address consumer power costs.
Moratorium-prone counties gain more leverage to seek public terms and local investments before approving data-center projects, increasing the upfront cost and complexity of site selection for developers.

Third-order effects

Data-center permitting is becoming a social-license test in which transparency, power-cost protections, and local infrastructure commitments carry more weight alongside land and grid access.
If moratoria persist, hyperscale expansion will increasingly be shaped by negotiated local compacts rather than confidential agreements between developers and county officials.

The trend: AI infrastructure development is shifting from a land-and-power procurement exercise toward a local compact that prices community consent into expansion plans.

Discussion

@quinnypig Corey Quinn on x
Amazon needs more people to carry water for them so they can give it to the data centers. [embedded post]
@pstasiatech Paul Triolo on x
Amazon is touting its good-neighbor bona fides in an attempt to shore up support for AI/SI data centers .. company is pledging transparency—and an extra $1 billion in community support—to woo skeptics and win 'the race our nation can't afford to lose https://www.wsj.com/...
@cremieuxrecueil @cremieuxrecueil on x
Amazon announced a new data center investment initiative. They're offering households energy efficiency upgrades that'll let them save ~$700/yr on average. And they're offering schools & community buildings the same thing + building roads, affordable housing, & fire equipment!
@davidzapolsky David Zapolsky on x
The US is in the middle of its largest infrastructure buildout since the national highway system. Today Amazon formalized our Data Center Commitment & launched Built Together: $1B+ for education, workforce training, & community investment. Learn more here: https://www.aboutamazon…
@athenaforall Athena Coalition on x
This is an encouraging sign that the data center backlash is working. But it's not like Amazon grew a conscience overnight. It's more likely that 1) they know local NDA bans are coming anyway and 2) they want to be seen as the “good guys” to who can regulate themselves
@mollytaft Molly Taft on x
NEW: amazon announced this morning that it has stopped using NDAs in its data center agreements w local officials NDAs have been a massive flashpoint in anti-DC backlash it also rolled out $1 bn in commitments to DC communities: https://wired.com/...
@ben_inskeep Ben Inskeep on x
It's not enough to stop using NDAs with *local officials*. Big Tech also needs to end the use of NDAs for its contracts with utilities. In Indiana, redactions to Amazon contracts are hiding BILLIONS in rate subsidies they are receiving through sweetheart deals with utilities.
@pat_hedger Patrick Hedger on x
Amazon/AWS addressing data center concerns head on with huge new commitments (and some myth busting). https://www.aboutamazon.com/ ...
@mattsgarman Matt Garman on x
America can lead the most important race of our generation, and getting the facts right is a big part of how we do it. Today we're sharing our Amazon Data Center Commitment and launching Built Together, a new investment in the communities where we build. https://x.com/...
Prasad Kalyanaraman Prasad Kalyanaraman on linkedin
I've spent my career building software services, networking systems and infrastructure that our customers rely on to run some of the most mission critical applications. …
Rima Alaily Rima Alaily on linkedin
I applaud Amazon Web Services for formalizing its commitment to build data centers responsibly and in partnership with communities. …
Tony Denhart Tony Denhart on linkedin
One of the things I've appreciated most about working around large-scale economic development projects is seeing what happens when investment, employers and workforce partners come together. …
Jeff McCormick Jeff McCormick on linkedin
One of the absolute best parts of my job at Amazon is getting to help shape infrastructure investments into community investments that strengthen the communities where we live and work. …
Maria Saab Maria Saab on linkedin
As someone engaged daily with policymakers and community members on the impact of data center development, I am pleased to share some news. …
Matt Garman Matt Garman on linkedin
America can lead the most important race of our generation, and getting the facts right is a big part of how we do it. …
Kara H. Hurst Kara H. Hurst on linkedin
We're in a time of big change, and that brings big questions. But misinformation and myths are pervasive, and too often real answers get lost in the noise. …
@hypervisible.blacksky.app @hypervisible.blacksky.app on bluesky
“In a more than 3,000 word blog posted today, Amazon web services CEO Matt Garman pushed back on public concerns around the impact that data centers may have on jobs, power demands, and the environment, saying 'our nation can't afford to lose' the race for AI dominance.”
@altnoaa @altnoaa on bluesky
Amazon hears your protests, and responds by buying your city councils.

Chronicles