Amazon adds more than $1bn for US data center communities

Amazon said it will add more than $1bn over five years for communities where it operates data centers in the United States under a program called Built Together.

The Built Together program covers education, workforce training, household energy upgrades and locally directed funding. Amazon estimates it will connect more than 300,000 students to free community college degrees after financial aid.

The company also plans to train as many as 100,000 workers a year through modular training centers by the end of 2028.

Another part targets energy-efficiency upgrades for more than 30,000 homes and 300 schools and community buildings. Amazon says the work aims to cut energy bills by 20 to 40 percent.

The rollout comes next. Agreements are still under way.