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Amazon to create fulfillment centers in Akron, Rossford
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 22, 2019
Officials at the e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc. are gearing up to open fulfillment centers in Akron and Rossford, which together are expected to create more than 2,500 full-time jobs.
Each of the facilities will span approximately 700,000 square feet and will be used to pick, pack and ship small items such as books and toys to customers.
“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,” Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s vice president of global customer fulfillment said in a press release.
“Our goal is to provide great customer service and fast shipping speeds,” said Amazon spokesperson Andre Woodson. “Strategically we look for locations that have robust public infrastructure, a strong and dedicated workforce and great local support—all of which we found at these two locations.”
In Akron, the fulfillment center will be constructed at the site of the former Rolling Acres Mall.
The mall, which opened in 1975, was once home to dozens of stores, including Sears and JCPenney. Declining customer numbers led businesses to move out, causing the mall to close in 2008. Several years ago, most of the remaining structures were demolished by the city of Akron to make room for new development.
“In Akron we have a proud history of innovation, resiliency and reinventing ourselves to meet the changing demands of a dynamic economy,” Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said in an emailed statement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Amazon to Akron, to transform this once blighted property into a thriving logistics and distribution hub. This is the single largest job-creating project we have undertaken in a generation. We look forward to continuing to partner with Amazon to empower the Akron community with employment, education and skills training opportunities.”
Amazon officials announced plans to build the new centers on July 22. As of the publication of this story, no firm launch dates had been determined for either location and Woodson said the site of the Rossford facility hadn’t been chosen.
The company will be hiring full-time, full-benefit hourly associates to staff the facilities, including some managerial positions.
Woodson said the hiring process usually begins two to three months prior to a center’s launch.
In Akron an estimated 1,500 workers will be needed to staff the fulfillment center, while over 1,000 associates are expected to be hired in Rossford.
The Ohio Tax Credit Authority has approved ten-year job creation tax credits to Amazon.com Services Inc. for both projects.
Lisa Colbert, a public information officer for the Ohio Development Services Agency said the estimated value of the tax credits for the Akron and Rossford fulfillment centers is just over $12 million. However, she said the actual amount may vary since it is dependent on the number of jobs created and the new payroll tax that is generated.
Woodson said all new employees should expect to go through hours of safety training and ongoing coaching. They will also have access to continuing education opportunities through Amazon upskilling programs like Career Choice, where the company will pre-pay up to 95 percent of tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon.
Amazon’s minimum wage is $15 an hour and full-time employees receive medical, vision and dental insurance along with a 401(k), with 50% matching contributions beginning on day one. Full-time associates can take up to 20 weeks of maternal and parental paid leave.
“We also have innovative options such as Leave Share and Ramp Back to give new parents flexibility with their growing families,” said Woodson.
In addition, Amazon has pledged to invest over $700 million to cover the cost of upskilling training for 100,000 U.S. employees for in-demand jobs.
“Programs will help Amazonians from all backgrounds access training to move into highly skilled roles across the company’s corporate offices, tech hubs, fulfillment centers, retails stores and transportation network or pursue career paths outside of Amazon,” said Woodson.
“Since 2010 Amazon has invested more than $5 billion in Ohio through its customer fulfillment and cloud infrastructure and compensation to its employees.”
In addition to Akron and Rossford, fulfillment centers are being constructed in Euclid, West Jefferson and Obetz. Monroe, North Randall, Etna Township, Twinsburg and Lockbourne, Ohio already have fully operational facilities.
Anyone interested in applying for a position at the new fulfillment centers or other locations can go to amazondelivers.jobs.