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Amazon Plans First Alabama Fulfillment Center
Amazon.com is planning a $325-million, 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center on the site of a former U.S. Steel facility in Bessemer, AL, near Birmingham. It will be the e-commerce giant’s first such facility in the state, although it operates a sortation center in Mobile, AL.
“Whenever a company of Amazon’s panache enters a community, things improve,” said David Carrington, Jefferson County Commissioner. “Not only does Amazon bring the Birmingham metro area a minimum of 1,500 good-paying jobs with full benefits, it also provides its employees a post-high school education pathway with its tuition assistance program.”
Jimmie Stephens, president of the Jefferson County Commission, told AL.com that the center could eventually employ as many as 3,000. The site was already being cleared for construction, he added, although a start date for the project has not been announced.
Lee Smith, chairman of the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA), said “Amazon’s investment in our community is a big win for the Birmingham region. This state-of-the-art facility will be able to accommodate an expanding workforce and a changing economy, as Amazon continues to prepare for its future.”
Smith said the BBA led several aspects of the project, including presentation of the site, infrastructure issues and local incentives. “As in most successful projects, it was a well-coordinated community effort that led to a successful conclusion, and we’re very grateful to our partners and allies for their great work on this project.”
Employees at the Bessemer center will work alongside Amazon’s robotics technology. They’ll pick, pack and ship small items to customers, such as books, household items and toys.
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- ◦Development
