Amazon secures multibillion-dollar fiber deal with Corning for AI expansion

Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) has signed a multi-billion-dollar agreement with specialty glass maker Corning (NYSE:GLW) to expand the domestic production of optical fiber and connectivity products used to link modern data centers.

The companies confirmed the multi-year partnership on Monday but did not disclose the specific financial parameters of the deal.

Shares of Corning rose roughly 7% in early trading following the announcement.

The massive infrastructure order provides a timely boost to Corning's fast-growing fiber optics division, helping to counter a prolonged slump in global consumer electronics demand that has continued to weigh on the company's separate business segment responsible for manufacturing Gorilla Glass.

The agreement is projected to create 1,000 advanced manufacturing jobs at Corning's production facilities throughout North Carolina.

To secure the technical labor required for the expansion, Amazon and Corning will jointly fund a new workforce development initiative.

The companies are partnering with Catawba Valley Community College in North Carolina to expand an existing fiber optic technician training program, which will prepare local students directly for operations roles inside the expanding facilities.