Amazon to Open Second Fulfillment Center in Delaware – adding 850 Jobs Amazon to Open Second Fulfillment Center in Delaware
MIDDLETOWN, Del. (Feb. 14, 2012) – Amazon.com, Inc. today announced plans to invest $90 million to open a new 1 million‐square‐foot fulfillment center in Middletown. The plan was finalized late Friday after the company’s real estate developer settled on the land, located on Classic Drive near Levels Road. Amazon will create more than 850 full‐time jobs at the new center.
“We welcome Amazon’s expansion in Delaware, which will mean a significant number of jobs for many skilled and talented Delawareans who want to get to work,” said Governor Jack Markell. “The company’s expansion is a credit to the hard work taking place throughout the state to attract top‐notch employers.”
The Middletown facility will be Amazon’s second fulfillment center in Delaware. Amazon opened its first fulfillment center on the East Coast in New Castle in 1997. The company currently employs hundreds of full‐time workers at the 200,000 square‐foot facility.
“We look forward to opening our second facility in Delaware this year, creating more than 850 new jobs in the state,” said Dave Clark, vice president, global customer fulfillment. “We’re grateful to state, county and local leaders who have committed to Amazon jobs and investment.”
In December, the Delaware Economic Development Office awarded the company $3.47 million from the Delaware Strategic Fund to support the expansion. Of which, $2.12 million will help create new jobs at the site. As part of the agreement, jobs at the new center will be in addition to the existing Delaware employment. The fund will also contribute to the company’s infrastructure investment, equal to 3 percent of the total capital expenditures, or a maximum of $1.35 million.
A separate grant for up to $4 million from the Delaware New Jobs Infrastructure Fund will be used to build extensions of public roads to serve the project, improve traffic flow and provide access to additional properties for future economic development.
The Infrastructure Fund was established in the fiscal year 2012 Bond Bill to provide economic assistance for renovation, construction or improvements to roads, utilities and related infrastructure in order to attract new businesses to Delaware, or for the expansion of existing Delaware businesses that would create a significant number of direct, permanent, quality, full‐time jobs.
“Fourteen years ago, Amazon chose Delaware for its first East Coast fulfillment center,” said Levin. “The advantages of our quality workforce and strategic location still hold true today. The company’s expansion in Delaware is a testament to that fact, and a result of a positive, collaborative effort between the state and the town of Middletown.
Amazon will also receive a real estate tax abatement from the town of Middletown for the next 10 years. “We are truly excited Amazon has selected Middletown as its new home,” said Middletown Mayor Kenneth Branner. “This project is a win‐win all around, for the town of Middletown and the state of Delaware. The new jobs would be a jump start to our economy and bring additional employment growth to our area.”
Amazon’s new facility is expected to be complete this fall. Amazon’s fulfillment centers in Delaware are operated by Amazon.com.dedc, LLC.
81 total views, 1 today