Amazon continues central Arkansas expansion

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 925 views 

Amazon announced plans Thursday (Dec. 17) to open a new fulfillment center in North Little Rock. The new fulfillment center, which is anticipated to launch in 2021, will create over 500 new, full-time jobs, the company said. The dollar amount of the investment was not disclosed.

Amazon said starting pay will be $15 per hour and will include comprehensive employee benefits.

“We are proud to be expanding our operations in Arkansas with our newest facility in North Little Rock and we are excited to create over 500 new, full-time jobs for the local community,” said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s vice president of global customer fulfillment. “Amazon is grateful for the continued support we’ve received from local and state leaders and we look forward to leveraging our scale for good to support this great community.”

Amazon has been investing heavily in central Arkansas. The North Little Rock facility will be the fourth major investment for the company in the region.

“North Little Rock’s dedicated workforce and central location make it a perfect selection for Amazon’s newest distribution center,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson. “I’m delighted that Amazon has once again decided to invest in central Arkansas, creating job opportunities for hundreds of Arkansans, and I’m confident that North Little Rock will be a perfect fit for the company’s project.”

Amazon announced in early July plans to open its first fulfillment center at the Port of Little Rock. That new fulfillment center, which is anticipated to launch in 2021, will create over 1,000 new full-time jobs.

The 825,000 square-foot distribution facility will be located on 80 acres at the port. The new center will be state-of-the-art with Amazon employees working alongside robotics to pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics and toys.

Amazon said it was also planning a new 85,000 square-foot delivery station in Little Rock, anticipated to launch in late 2020. It also announced in August it would locate a delivery station in Maumelle.