The e-commerce giant Amazon has reportedly announced that it has planned to commence work on a new fulfilment and distribution centre that would employ around 1,500 individuals near Birmingham. As per trusted sources, a ground-breaking ceremony has been set at the new site in Bessemer.
Reportedly, employees of the online retailer will receive an average hourly salary of USD 14.65 and other benefits. According to Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington, the project could assist in convincing younger people to stay in the area.
Sources privy to the development claim that the new centre will be the second facility of Amazon in Alabama. The USD 325 million centre would reportedly utilize robots to fulfil orders for smaller consumer items.
Touted as the largest economic development project in the recent history of metro Birmingham, the project would receive at least USD 51 million in incentives. Apparently, the fulfilment centre is expected to be built on an 855,000 square feet property of U.S. Steel Corporation near Bessemer High School, claim reliable sources.
Seefried Construction and Development of Atlanta will be the developer and Amazon will be a tenant on the property. The company has reportedly developed a number of fulfilment centres and has been part of numerous recent transactions with Amazon including the Triad Business Park in North Carolina.
Local officials have stated that the new fulfilment centre could transform the economic contours of the western Jefferson County which has been struggling in the recent past. Moreover, the facility would include a bus stop to allow individuals without access to a vehicle to work at the centre and will also incorporate training programs at Bessemer High School.
Reportedly, the project is in line with the Amazon’s recent trend of investments in distribution and logistics operations in the western part of the county.