Amazon to bring 1,500 jobs to Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Amazon announced Wednesday that it is bringing about 1,500 jobs to Jacksonville.

The online retail giant said it has plans for a more than 800,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Jacksonville.

City leaders say it tried for about seven years to lure Amazon to the River City.

"Becoming a member of the Jacksonville community is very exciting for us as we grow our presence in Florida. We're proud to be creating more than 1,500 full-time jobs to join the thousands we currently employ across the state," said Akash Chauhan, vice president of Amazon's North America Operations. "We look forward to continue building relationships in the community to make Jacksonville home."

Amazon employees at the facility will pick, pack and ship small items to customers, including books, electronics and consumer goods, officials said.

“This is a huge win for our city and citizens,” said Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. “I am incredibly excited about the opportunities Amazon is bringing to our city, and specifically northwest Jacksonville, a community that will now serve as host to an international, state-of-the art fulfillment and distribution center. Their entry brings more than 1,500 new jobs, strengthens Jacksonville’s position as a destination for international business, and contributes to increased economic development growth and improved quality of life.”

The proposal in April, with the code name Project Rex, said the fulfillment center will be located near the Jacksonville International Airport.

Action News Jax partner the Jacksonville Business Journal reported that the bulk of the site — 148 acres known as Broward Signature — is owned by Signature Land, while another 22 acres belong to CRM Florida Properties LLC of Atlanta.

The move will create the jobs by the end of 2019, with 500 jobs guaranteed to be permanent, full-time equivalents with an average salary of $50,000. The other 1,000 jobs will be hourly, ranging from $12 to $15 per hour.

Hiring is expected to late summer or early fall 2017, with the projected opening for fall 2017. To learn more about working at an Amazon fulfillment center, interested candidates can visit its website.

“It is great news that Amazon continues to invest in Florida and create new jobs for our families. I look forward to their continued success in Jacksonville and across our state," said Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

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