Amazon Plans to Build New Facility, Create Jobs in Mercer County
The new “fulfillment center” in Robbinsville Township, from which Amazon employees will ship books, DVDs and other items to customers, will create “hundreds of fulltime jobs with benefits," the online retailer announced this morning.
With an investment expected to exceed $200 million, Amazon plans to open a one million-square-foot “fulfillment center,” creating “hundreds of full-time jobs with benefits,” near the New Jersey Turnpike in Robbinsville Township, the online retailer announced this morning (Jan. 8) in a news release.
“Phase one of Amazon’s new state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Robbinsville will spur growth and investment for the Garden State and our local economies while bringing meaningful job creation opportunities for New Jersey’s families,” Gov. Chris Christie said in the news release.
“Amazon’s multi-million dollar investment in this one facility alone is expected to result in the creation of hundreds of full-time jobs in addition to temporary, seasonal and construction jobs,” Christie added. “Today’s announcement represents the strength of our successful partnership with Amazon and I want to express our sincere thanks for their continued commitment to investing in our state and bringing these job opportunities to our residents.”
“We are extremely excited to welcome Amazon to Robbinsville Township,’’ Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried said. “We understand Amazon could have chosen anywhere in New Jersey to build its new distribution center, and we are fortunate to have the infrastructure and resources to meet their needs and consummate one of the most sought-after business partnerships in recent memory. With hundreds of new jobs and the tax revenue for our Township, we are obviously thrilled Amazon chose Robbinsville.’’
At the new facility, Amazon employees will pick, pack and ship smaller items like books and DVDs to customers. Amazon fulfillment center jobs pay “on average 30 percent more than traditional retail jobs and that doesn't even include the stock grants that full-time employees receive, which over the past five years have added an average of 9 percent to base pay annually,” according to the release, which noted that Amazon offers employees fulltime benefits including healthcare.
“Amazon’s decision to move to Mercer County is a prime indicator of the value of this central New Jersey region,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “Amazon is forecasting hiring for hundreds of positions, and I’m confident they will find hardworking, desirable candidates for those jobs right here in Mercer County.”
“We are excited to open our first fulfillment center in New Jersey, bringing jobs and investment to Robbinsville Township,” said Mike Roth, vice president of Amazon’s North American Operations. “We appreciate the support of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, New Jersey Business Action Center, and other state and local leaders who have worked with us to find this site.”
Private equity firm KTR Capital Partners is building the facility, with Amazon planning to take occupancy in early 2014.
Sanriobaby
1:38 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Wow, what an AMAZING opportunity for our county! Hopefully, Amazon will choose to hire locally....
Jeff Lippincott
4:55 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
At the low wages they are going to pay, they will have to hire locally. Commuting very far to go to work for a low wage does not make economic sense. Of course, low wage jobs don't usually merit being called "an Amazing opportunity." Not really sure where you are coming from with regard to your comment. :(
Christina Marie
1:38 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Great news...good company bringing hundreds of jobs to our area!
Jeff Lippincott
5:06 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Yeah, once they open up for business in NJ all NJ customers will have to pay sales tax on their Amazon purchases. Bummer! Until then we get to avoid paying sales tax on the products we buy from Amazon.
Teresita Bastides-Heron
5:06 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Yes, WOW! Are these jobs going to be well paying jobs or are there going to be 7.50/hr. that a family man or anyone cannot survive with this salary. As Sanriobaby said, hopefully Amazon will hire local people. Bringing hundreds of jobs at a minimum
wages will create more working poor people!
Dan
5:06 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Get ready to now pay sales tax on all your Amazon purchases shipped to an NJ address.
Ken Mayberg
5:06 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The types of jobs that these large warehouses create tend to be those that attract illegal immigrants. It is no windfall for Robbinsville Twp. as it will lead to large families moving in and a need for new schools and services. Hightstown and the East Windsor have seen this happen due to the many warehouses on Rt. 130 and their school systems have undertaken a heavy burden.
Kristina G.
6:30 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
You are right. I hear that Trenton is heavily recruiting for those warehouse jobs already.
Kristina G.
6:30 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
It also mean more tax revenue. So why did our property tax went up again???
Jeff Lippincott
4:55 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Sales tax goes to the state, and property tax goes to the local government. Your property taxes go up because your local municipality has a bunch of unionized teachers demanding more pay in these hard economic times. If you don't like the high property taxes you might consider moving to a state dominated by the Republicans.
Geoff Wertime
9:28 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
This is a very interesting development. I hope local officials and the media can keep an eye on the working conditions at the plant, given what we've learned about their other warehouse in Allentown, PA:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-allentown-amazon-complaints-20110917,0,7937001,full.story
Jeff Lippincott
6:49 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Interesting article. Says Amazon uses a staffing agency to hire temporary workers. Those workers would not be getting BENEFITS from Amazon since temps don't get bennies. But the article The Patch published said the NJ jobs would come with bennies. Sounds like The Patch has their facts messed up.
charlie
3:10 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
sounds like a real slave shop
Brady Donnell
10:04 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Will they hire locally? Why not apply and find out ... want to wait until they contact you?! Will add to school and housing burdens .... how? If you work in city A and live in city B not far away, why would you move? This is one warehouse not Exit 8A. How much will they pay? Again, apply and find out. Check out warehouse jobs in NJ online and get the pay info. Why is everything rocket science for so many people?
Jeff Lippincott
4:55 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Get a clue. These commenters were basically criticizing the newspaper article. It creates more questions than it answers. And what it answers doesn't really seem to be all that accurate except for the fact that Amazon will be opening a distribution center in the Garden state. Besides, chances are most of the questions can be answered by reading the newspaper article cited at Wertime above.
it job pay
7:23 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
wow, amazon is very big company. the Mercer County people only get this opportunity. so guise be prepare for the interviews.