Seattle’s Amazon today announced plans to open a new fulfillment center south of Grand Rapids in Gaines Township, creating more than 1,000 full-time jobs.
“Michigan has been a great place to do business for Amazon, and we look forward to adding a new fulfillment center to better serve our customers in the region,” says Mark Stewart, vice president of North American operations. “Because of our ability to have more inventory on-hand and increased speed of fulfillment, we are able to better meet customer demand and create more than 1,000 new jobs with competitive pay and great benefits starting on day one of employment. We are proud of our ability to create jobs, spur innovation, and provide excellent Prime service to members.”
The facility will be more than 850,000 square feet in size. Technology such as Amazon Robotics will assist employees in fulfilling customer orders. With other investments in metro Detroit, Amazon will be adding some 6,000 jobs in the next two years.
“Today’s announcement marks the fourth project Amazon has invested in Michigan in just under two years,” says Jeff Mason, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corp. “Their ongoing recognition of the state for fulfillment center locations underscores a major endorsement of the state’s logistics, distribution assets, and strategic location in proximity to the Midwest region. We appreciate Amazon’s continued commitment to growing their footprint and creating jobs here in Michigan and look forward to working with them on future investments in the state.”
Full-time employees will receive hourly wages and a comprehensive benefits package starting on day one. The company also offers up to 20 weeks of maternal and parental paid leave, as well as benefits that give parents flexibility with their growing families.
Amazon also offers full-time employees programs such as Career Choice, during which the company will pre-pay up to 95 percent of tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at the on-line retailer.
Amazon has built or will soon add three fulfillment centers and one sortation facility in Brownstown Township, Livonia, Romulus, and Shelby Township, which will collectively employ 3,500 workers. It also has an office at the 150 W. Jefferson Building in downtown Detroit for 300 employees that will expand to 600 employees over the next year or so.
