Amazon to open new facility in Tucson, creating over 1,500 jobs
May 17, 2018, 4:11 AM
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
PHOENIX – Online retail giant Amazon announced its plans Wednesday to open a new 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Tucson.
The new facility in southern Arizona will be used to pick, pack and ship small items such as books, electronics, household items and toys to customers.
Amazon has invested billions of dollars into its four other fulfillment centers and facilities in Arizona since 2007, pumping more than $900 million into the state’s economy.
“Since we first broke ground in Arizona over 10 years ago, we have found a network of support from community leaders to statewide officials, a dedicated workforce and fantastic customers,” vice president of Amazon’s North America operations, Mark Stewart said.
“We’re excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Tucson and to continue innovating in a state committed to providing great opportunities for jobs and customer service.”
Amazon employs more than 7,000 full-time employees in the state, with an additional 18,000 employed indirectly.
The new Tucson facility will create more than 1,500 full-time jobs with competitive hourly wages and comprehensive benefits packages including healthcare, 401 (k) and company stock awards starting on the first day of employment.
“Amazon’s selection of Tucson for this impressive new facility demonstrates that southern Arizona has a lot to offer businesses in terms of talent, location, pro-business environment and quality of life,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said.
“This project will create thousands of new jobs and generate significant capital investment in the region. We thank Amazon for its continued growth and investment in our state.”
Tucson mayor Jonathan Rothschild said he is “very pleased to welcome Amazon to Tucson,” adding that international companies are identifying the city as an ideal location for business due to its proximity to Mexico.
“We see more and more international companies recognizing the advantage Tucson has to offer as a logistics hub and gateway to Mexico,” Rothschild said.
Officials hope to have the new facility open by the summer of 2019.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
