Amazon announced Monday that it plans to open two fulfillment centers in Ohio, one in Akron and a second in Rossford, creating more than 2,500 full-time jobs in the state.
“Ohio has been a great place to do business, serve customers and create jobs; as a result, we are thrilled to develop two state-of-the-art fulfillment centers in Akron and Rossford,” Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s vice president of global customer fulfillment, said in a press release.
“We’re excited to grow our team in the Buckeye State, which now includes more than 8,500 Amazonians, and be part of the larger Ohio community,” she added.
Gov. Mike DeWine welcomed the announcement, saying the company “continues to demonstrate confidence in the great workforce and e-commerce business climate we have in Ohio.”
“I’m pleased to welcome two additional investments from Amazon, which bring thousands of new jobs to Ohio and cutting-edge facilities to Akron and Rossford,” he added.
The fulfillment centers, where workers pack and ship items alongside robotics, will be more than 700,000 square feet and create additional construction jobs in the state. Amazon estimates that its overall investments in the state have created an additional 19,000 indirect jobs.
“We are excited to have Amazon build on its already strong business relationship with Ohio by selecting the City of Akron for its new facility,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “Once completed, this fulfillment center will provide even more opportunities for good jobs to people seeking employment in and around Akron.”
The company provides workers with a $15 minimum wage, but some employees at Amazon’s fulfillment centers across the country are protesting the working conditions. In Minnesota, for instance, employees have organized numerous protests in response to Amazon’s productivity rule of packing 70-plus items per hour.
J.P. Nauseef, president of JobsOhio, applauded Amazon for creating thousands of jobs in the state and providing “benefits and health care on day one.”
“We welcome Amazon as our new neighbor and look forward to the job creation Amazon will bring for members of our community and the surrounding areas,” said Rossford Mayor Neil A. MacKinnon.
According to News 5 Cleveland, officials expect to begin hiring within 60 days of completing construction on the $100 million facilities.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News, The Ohio Star, and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
