Amazon to bring 500 jobs to new project in the River Region, 900 jobs across Alabama

The new local Amazon operation, which will receive and consolidate items from vendors and facilitate shipment to fulfillment centers, is one of three planned builds by the company across the state.
The new local Amazon operation, which will receive and consolidate items from vendors and facilitate shipment to fulfillment centers, is one of three planned builds by the company across the state.

Amazon is bringing at least 500 jobs to the River Region with a new center to open in 2022, state and local officials announced.

The new local operation, which will receive and consolidate items from vendors and facilitate shipment to fulfillment centers, is one of three planned builds across the state. A delivery station is planned in Birmingham, and a "XL Fulfillment Center" is planned in Huntsville, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday.

The expansion is expected to add at least 900 jobs across the three facilities with the most of those at the Montgomery site.

The 650,000-square-foot facility is to be built between Interstate 65 and U.S. Highway 31 north of Hyundai Boulevard, according to the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We are proud to welcome Amazon to Montgomery County and into this growing community of diverse industries,” County Commission Chairman Elton Dean said. “This facility will provide excellent opportunities for our citizens and pave the way for even more growth and investment in our area.”

The governor's office, in its news release, noted that Amazon pays a minimum starting wage of $15 an hour for fulfillment and transportation roles. Company benefits include health benefits on the first day of employment and 20 weeks of paid parental leave, according to the release.

The new build marks a $100 million capital investment in the River Region.

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“Amazon’s major investment shows that Montgomery is on the map and an essential part of logistics solutions for major brands and industries,” Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed said. “We’re eager to grow this partnership on behalf of the Montgomerians who will benefit from the careers that this new facility will bring.”

The announced facilities will add to Amazon's footprint in the state. Currently, the company has a fulfillment center in Bessemer, delivery stations in Birmingham and a sorting center in Mobile.

“Amazon’s decision to simultaneously launch and announce these projects in Alabama shows the high level of confidence the company has in the abilities of our hard-working citizens, who have shown time and time again that they can get the job done,” Ivey said. “Companies from around the world have discovered that Alabama offers them all the ingredients of success, and this is another prime example.”

The three new Amazon facilities in Alabama include:

  • Birmingham Delivery Station: In November, Amazon plans to expand delivery services in greater Birmingham. This new station will employ approximately 150 people and create indirect job opportunities for hundreds of people through the empowerment of the Delivery Service Partner program.

  • Huntsville XL Fulfillment Center: In 2022, Amazon will open its third fulfillment center in the state. This “XL” Non-Sortable facility is designed to receive, store, and package heavy or bulky items like home appliances. The 1 million-square-foot facility in Limestone County will provide more than 250 full-time jobs and will utilize innovative technologies and energy-efficient, zero-emission power industrialized truck (PIT) equipment.

  • Montgomery Receive Center: In 2022, Amazon will open an Inbound Cross Dock facility that will receive and consolidate items from vendors and facilitate shipment to fulfillment centers. This 650,000-square-foot facility will provide more than 500 full-time jobs.

Positions are available at all new operations facilities in Alabama. Interested candidates can visit www.hiring.amazon.com to learn more.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Kirsten Fiscus at 334-318-1798 or KFiscus@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KDFiscus

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Amazon to build facility in Montgomery County; bring 900 jobs to AL