At the end of last month, Amazon announced some new plans to expand its already-wide network of fulfillment centers by opening a new one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The online retail giant expects that the center will provide nearly 800 full-time jobs for workers with a minimum pay rate starting at $15 per hour with benefits.
“Pennsylvania is a great state for business, and Amazon is excited to continue its growth and investment with our newest fulfillment center in Allegheny County,” said Alicia Boler Davis, vice president of global customer fulfillment, Amazon. “For nearly a decade, the Keystone state has been key to Amazon’s ability to serve our incredible customers and provide great selection and super-fast shipping speeds across the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S.
Davis said since 2010, the company has invested more than $8.5 billion in Pennsylvania through its local fulfillment center and cloud infrastructure, research facilities, and compensation to thousands of employees.
“We are excited to create more than 800 new full-time jobs, in addition to the 10,000 current employees across the state, who receive industry-leading pay and benefits starting on day one,” she said.
According to a July 30 press release, Amazon states the new fulfillment center will be more than 1 million square feet. Workers will ship larger objects such as sports equipment and patio furniture, kayaks and larger home goods at this site, according to Amazon.
“It’s a great win any time a business comes in and pledges to create 800 new jobs,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. “This is a significant investment for Pennsylvania and I applaud Amazon for selecting our commonwealth as the location for this facility.”
The Pittsburgh Gazatte reported that while Pittsburgh didn’t get Amazon’s new headquarters located in its city, the company will invest $30 million into its new distribution facility. According to the Pittsburgh Gazette, the city was one of 15 finalists for Amazon’s HQ2 facility, “which promised 50,000 jobs and $5 billion in investment.”
“The company received a funding proposal from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for $1.6 million in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed when the Findlay fulfillment center jobs are created,” The Pittsburgh Gazette reported. “The tax credits, which will help offset state taxes, are only given once the jobs are in place, according to Michael Gerber, a spokesman for the state Department of Community and Economic Development.”
“Today’s announcement underscores that Amazon has never taken its eyes off Pittsburgh. A new, from-the-ground-up fulfillment center will increase the count of several local Amazon facilities – including a growing engineering center – that provide, or will provide, thousands of well-paying jobs in the region,” said Pittsburgh Regional Alliance President Mark A. Thomas.
