Amazon To Create 1,500 Jobs At First Alabama Fulfillment Center

The online retail giant will invest $325 million to locate its first Alabama fulfillment center in Bessemer.

Amazon will invest $325 million to locate its first Alabama fulfillment center in Bessemer, AL, which will create 1,500 full-time jobs in Jefferson County. The company currently operates a sortation center in Mobile, AL.

Bessemer, AL
An Amazon worker sorts products in a fulfillment center.
(Image: Amazon)

“We are thrilled to bring our first fulfillment center to the state of Alabama, creating 1,500 full-time jobs,” said Mark Stewart, Amazon’s Vice President of North America Customer Fulfillment. “Alabama has a talented workforce and we look forward to making a positive economic impact in a state where we are committed to providing great job opportunities and an exceptional customer experience.”

Amazon employees at the more than 855,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fulfillment center will work alongside innovative technology created by Amazon Robotics. Amazon’s advanced technologies and robotics help employees complete jobs in a more efficient manner. Employees at the fulfillment center will pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, household items and toys.

”Amazon is one of the world’s most dynamic companies, and we couldn’t be more proud to see the company select Alabama for one of its high-tech fulfillment centers,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. “This facility represents good jobs for our citizens and the beginning of a long partnership that I believe will see Amazon expand and grow in Alabama in the future.”

Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley said the Amazon project represents the largest single private investment in the city’s 131-year history. As an added bonus, the company has pledged to create a tuition-assistance program for its workforce.

“I would like to officially welcome Amazon to The Marvel City of Bessemer,” said Mayor Gulley. “Words cannot truly express the excitement this announcement has brought to our city. By choosing to locate its Amazon Fulfillment Center here, Amazon is making the largest single private investment in the city of Bessemer’s 131-year history. Amazon is bringing jobs and opportunity to our residents and students. I am particularly proud of the educational incentives Amazon will offer our young people: get your high school diploma, work one year and receive $3,000 the next four years toward furthering your education. I anticipate this investment by Amazon will spur other development opportunities in Bessemer.”

Bessemer, AL
The 1,500 employees in the new
Amazon fulfillment center in
Bessemer will work alongside
robotics technology developed by
the company. (Image: Amazon)

Full-time employees at Amazon receive competitive hourly wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare, 401(k) and company stock awards starting on day one. Amazon also offers generous maternity and parental leave benefits and access to innovative programs like Career Choice, where it 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 Amazon. Since the program’s launch, more than 16,000 employees have pursued degrees in game design and visual communications, nursing, IT programming and radiology, to name a few.

“Whenever a company of Amazon’s panache enters a community, things improve,” said David Carrington, Jefferson County Commissioner. “Not only does Amazon bring the Birmingham metro area a minimum of 1,500 good-paying jobs with full benefits, it also provides its employees a post high school education pathway with its tuition assistance program.”

“Amazon’s investment in our community is a big win for the Birmingham region,” said Lee Smith, Chairman of the Birmingham Business Alliance. “This state-of-the-art facility will be able to accommodate an expanding workforce and a changing economy as Amazon continues to prepare for its future. The BBA was pleased to lead several aspects of the project, including presentation of the site, infrastructure issues and local incentives. As in most successful projects, it was a well-coordinated community effort that led to a successful conclusion, and we’re very grateful to our partners and allies for their great work on this project.”

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