NEW CARLISLE ? Well over 350 people from throughout the region descended on an event venue at Hudson Lake on Thursday night to learn more about the estimated 1,000 jobs that will be created by Amazon Web Services over the next several years.
Well at least that’s the number of people that pre-registered for the event. Others lined up outside Monroe’s Crossing to sign up at the door.
AWS wanted to know the work experience and the background of those interested in positions in the data centers that the company is rapidly building along Indiana 2 and near Larrison Boulevard between South Bend and New Carlisle.
Besides AWS aiming to collect re?sume?s, the job fair also was an opportunity for people to learn more about some of the positions available ? jobs installing equipment in the data centers and other positions for so-called first responders who fix servers and other equipment or ensure electric, water and cooling systems are operating properly.
AWS aims to have 18 data centers completed or underway on both sides of Indiana 2 before the end of the year with some becoming operational before the first half of the year. In all, it has space to build as many as 32 buildings ? each about 200,000 square feet ? in a project that could take five to 10 years to complete.
Some Amazon personnel already have transferred to the South Bend area to get the data centers operational, but the company wants to hire another 250 as soon as possible, said Sarah Georgiades, an AWS spokeswoman.
Company officials said AWS was looking for people with experience as well as those without any experience who could go through training.
Georgiades said she was happy to see the strong turnout for the event. “Amazon strives to be the Earth’s best employer and a good member of the community,” she said.
Those showing up for the event came from throughout the region.
While waiting for the doors of the event center to open, Rebecca Kukla of LaPorte said that she has a job, but she’s “looking for a career with opportunities for advancement.”
Duncan Krostue of Niles has a technical background, but he’s been supporting himself lately as a self-employed contractor and artist.
“I’d like something more consistent,” he said.
Skylar Young of Elkhart is just looking to start a career in a field that would allow her growth opportunities.
“You can find jobs, but it’s really hard to find good ones,” she said.
Bill Schalliol, executive director of economic development for St. Joseph County, was happy to see the strong turnout for the event, which was designed for people interested in learning more about the types of positions available in an informal setting that included snacks, drinks and roundtable talks with AWS employees.
“It’s exciting to see this crowd,” said Schalliol, who headed up the effort to bring AWS to the county’s massive Indiana Enterprise Center nearly two years ago.
Seeing the data centers going up and now seeing the new jobs being filled is the end result of years of effort assembling the land and getting it ready for development. Nearby, a partnership between GM and Samsung SDI is expected to begin going vertical on a $3.5 billion EV battery plant.
That’s in addition to the $11 billion being invested by AWS.
“This is what it’s all about,” Schalliol said.
Email Tribune staff writer Ed Semmler at [email protected].