Amazon Selects Tallahassee-Leon County for a New Robotics Fulfillment Center
The 630,000 square-foot site is expected to open in 2022 and create more than 1,000 new, full-time jobs
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 11, 2021 – Today, Amazon.com, Inc. announced plans to locate a new robotics fulfillment center in Leon County, Florida, creating more than 1,000 full-time jobs, paying a starting wage of at least $15 an hour with industry-leading benefits starting on day one including healthcare, 401(k) retirement savings and career skills training programs.
“Amazon’s project is a once-in-a-generation economic development opportunity for the entire community,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Rick Minor. “Amazon’s investment in Florida’s Capital County will be transformative. According to FSU’s analysis, the project will generate 1,346 full-time jobs, 2,256 construction jobs and a total economic impact of $451 million. We are living in extraordinary times, and our ability to create more employment opportunities for local families could not have come at a better time.”
Employees at the fulfillment center will have the opportunity to engage with advanced robotics and pick, pack and ship small items, such as books, electronics and toys, to customers.
According to an economic impact analysis conducted by the FSU Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis, this project could create a total of 3,600 new jobs, $167.6 million in wages, and generate approximately $451 million in local economic impact for Tallahassee-Leon County.
“As they do with every business, I am proud of our many County teams who worked with Amazon to take this from an opportunity to a game-changing reality,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “The Amazon project will be the largest job producing opportunity in our community’s history, serving as a testament to Leon County’s continuous strategic efforts to develop and grow our local economy.”
Amazon is anticipated to deploy $200 million in capital investment for a new 630,000-square-foot fulfillment center, which will become the largest facility of this type in the entire Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson and Wakulla counties. Construction is expected to begin near the Mahan Drive/1-10 interchange in September 2021 and be completed in late 2022.
“We’re excited to announce five new delivery stations as we continue to invest in the state of Florida,” said Holly Sullivan, Vice President of Worldwide Economic Development for Amazon. “The new facilities not only allow us to better serve our customers across the state, it allows us to create jobs and drive opportunity within the Sunshine State. We’re proud to have created more than 52,000 jobs and invested more than $18 billion in the state over the past decade.”
The decision by Amazon to locate a distribution and fulfillment center in Leon County comes after the Intergovernmental Agency (IA) Board, comprised of City and County commissioners, approved approximately $2.5 million in incentives through the Office of Economic Vitality’s Targeted Business Program to support the company’s expansion.
“Supporting job growth and diversifying our economy is key to creating economic prosperity in our city,” City of Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said. “This $200 million investment by Amazon will bring 1,000 new jobs to our community and is a testament to our position as a vital regional economic hub.”
The Office of Economic Vitality, Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department, and Leon County Development Support and Environmental Management worked together with Amazon to facilitate the details of the expansion and assist with site planning and development needs. It is anticipated that this successful recruiting effort will continue to generate opportunities for local economic growth in Tallahassee-Leon County.
“For the past six years, the Office of Economic Vitality has implemented a successful strategy to diversify its economy to drive high-wage job creation,” said Cristina Paredes, director of the Office of Economic Vitality. “The announcement of Amazon’s fulfillment center and long-term investment in Tallahassee-Leon County is a major win for us and leverages our community’s business friendly climate and diverse talent pool.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following are quotes from Leon County Commissioners, City of Tallahassee Commissioners and community leaders regarding this project.
Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor, Vice Chair, District 1
“Being one of only a few communities in the nation to welcome an Amazon Fulfillment Center means we are doing it right, from early coordination to the review process and beyond.”
Leon County Commissioner Jimbo Jackson, District 2
"As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic uncertainty, Amazon brings the certainty of new jobs and investment. I am eager to see the lasting effects of Amazon's development throughout our community."
Leon County Commissioner Brian Welch, District 4
“As Amazon's development takes shape over the next year, I recognize the important opportunity for not only the citizens I serve, but all of Leon County and throughout the Big Bend region. Developments like this one are unprecedented in Leon County’s history and will bring an equally unprecedented amount of opportunities to our citizens and businesses in Leon County.”
Leon County Commissioner Kristin Dozier, District 5
“Amazon’s expansion into Tallahassee-Leon County brings the single largest injection of private sector jobs our community has ever seen. I know that Amazon is eager to call Tallahassee-Leon County home, and we will continue to work with their team in the months ahead to realize this transformational opportunity."
Leon County Commissioner, At-Large Nick Maddox
“Amazon’s investment will be felt all across Leon County, from the supporting local businesses to households looking for job opportunities. I am proud of our collective effort to invest in and cultivate our economic development ecosystem.”
Leon County Commissioner, At-Large Carolyn D. Cummings
"Amazon’s Fulfillment Center is a game-changer for our local economy, creating more than a thousand well-paying jobs in the first year alone. Amazon’s investment will lead to further investment from other companies and industries, creating long-term economic impact.”
City of Tallahassee Commissioner Curtis Richardson, Seat 2
“We can all look forward to the vast economic impact that Amazon will have on our community. This project is a result of collaborative efforts toward job creation and economic prosperity, and I am proud to have supported it.”
City of Tallahassee Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox, Seat 5
“I couldn’t be happier that Amazon chose to build and create jobs in our community. This project is a great investment in Tallahassee that will further strengthen our local economy as we look forward to coming out of this pandemic.”
Tallahassee City Manager Reese Goad
“I am thrilled that Amazon recognizes Tallahassee as place where businesses can thrive thanks to a collective focus on ensuring our local economy is strong and getting stronger. This is something we can celebrate and be proud of as we work to keep this momentum going.”
Tallahassee-Leon County Department of PLACE Director Benjamin H. Pingree
“Under the leadership of the IA Board of Directors and City and County management, OEV, Planning and DSEM worked with Amazon to bring this exciting project home. This effort showcases the collaborative nature of economic development and the tangible benefits that are borne from it.”
Economic Vitality Leadership Council Chair Steve Evans
"This project is a true testament to both our community’s ability and commitment to effectively drive economic vitality, growth, and job creation efforts in Tallahassee-Leon County. On behalf of and as Chairman of the Economic Vitality Leadership Council, I welcome Amazon to Tallahassee and congratulate the Office of Economic Vitality, Leon County, and the City of Tallahassee Team on a job well done."
Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce President Antonio Jefferson
“At the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to have Amazon coming to our community and look forward to the contribution they will bring to Tallahassee in regards to economic development and job creation.”
Capital City Chamber of Commerce President Katrina Tuggerson
“This project couldn’t have come at a better time. The new jobs and wages that Amazon will bring to Tallahassee is ground-breaking as we continue to recover from the pandemic and seek to diversify our local economy. The Capital City Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Amazon to our community.”
Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Sue Dick
“This is outstanding news, not only for the Tallahassee-Leon County community but also for our entire region. This long-awaited decision by Amazon attests to everything that Tallahassee has to offer for a cutting-edge company – a friendly business environment, educated workforce, and quality of life. Amazon directly supports our JobsNow initiative, and we are delighted to welcome them to Tallahassee!”
About the Tallahassee - Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV)
When you are looking to grow, relocate or start your business in Florida’s capital city, the Office of Economic Vitality is your front door to business resources. OEV can guide you in a variety of ways: site location, talent solutions, financial assistance, for instance. To foster a strong business climate, the Office of Economic Vitality provides data, resources and support to site selectors, state partners, and business leaders in the community alike. We serve as the connector between state economic development, workforce development and business.
For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.
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