Amazon.com will open new facilities in the area, invest $135 million, create 1,350 new jobs
Leading online retailer, Amazon.com, announced today that they will open two new facilities in neighboring Richmond counties, investing over $135 million in the region.
The world’s largest online retailer, Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc., announced today that they will open two fulfillment centers in the Richmond area. The company will invest $85 million and create over 1,000 new jobs in Chesterfield County, and also invest $50 million in Dinwiddie County, creating more than 350 jobs. This is the biggest jobs announcement in Virginia since 2004.
“Chesterfield and Dinwiddie counties were chosen for this significant project due to the ease and speed with which the facilities can be built and become operational,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade in a press release. “We are thrilled that Amazon recognized the assets and solid infrastructure in place in the greater Richmond region and will make a great investment to establish its new fulfillment centers in Virginia.”
It had been speculated that Amazon was looking to build facilities in the area, although both the company and local agencies were reticent to comment before a deal was firmed.
Governor McDonnell approved a total of $3.5 million in grants from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Chesterfield and Dinwiddie counties in attracting Amazon.
“We look forward to opening two new Amazon facilities in the Richmond area next year, bringing tens of millions of dollars and hundreds of new jobs to the state,” said Dave Clark, vice-president, Amazon North American Operations. “We’re grateful to Governor McDonnell and other state, county and local officials for their commitment to our investment in Virginia.”
The planned Chesterfield County fulfillment center will be one million square feet. The new facilities are expected to be completed by Fall 2012.
photo by MikeBlogs
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Ooooh…I wonder whether this means Amazon’s same day delivery service will be trialed in Richmond, too. That’d be pretty awesome.
Does this mean we’ll have to pay sales tax?
Yes, starting September 1st, 2013, Virginians will be paying sales tax on Amazon purchases.
There have been books written about what a crummy employer they are.