Amazon celebrated the official opening of its new, state-of-the-art robotics fulfillment center with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, state and local elected officials, and community partners in Detroit, Michigan. The new 823,000-square-foot facility expands Amazon’s operations and transportation network in the state, supporting the 10 fulfillment and sortation centers and 13 delivery stations servicing Michigan. Inside of the Detroit fulfillment center, more than 1,200 employees will operate and work with innovative technology to assist in fulfilling customer orders.
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“For nearly a decade, the State Fairgrounds sat as a vacant 140-acre eyesore producing nothing but weeds. Today it is bustling with more than a thousand new jobs and construction activity that all started with Amazon’s remarkable commitment to build this beautiful new fulfillment center,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “In addition to prioritizing the hiring of Detroiters, Amazon has already been a great community partner, helping to create two new nearby community parks for neighbors of this new facility and a new state-of-the-art transit center for DDOT riders that will open next year.”
For the grand opening, Amazon Detroit Assistant General Manager Paola Lopez led a special, behind-the-scenes tour for attendees. Lopez explained how Detroit employees play an integral role in efficiently and safely helping speed up delivery for Amazon customers in Michigan by picking, packing and shipping smaller customer items such as books, electronics, and toys.
“We are thrilled to officially open our new Amazon robotics fulfillment center here in Detroit so we can continue to deliver for our customers in Michigan and beyond,” said Paola Lopez, Detroit Fulfillment Center Assistant General Manager. “Not only are we bringing great jobs with comprehensive benefits to local residents, but we are also aiming to be a strong community partner by supporting organizations in the Detroit area. It’s an honor to lead Amazon’s first operations site in Detroit and help build career pathways for our employees in a safe, engaging, and fun workplace.”
Amazon’s presence in Michigan has not only brought more than 21,000 great full- and part-time jobs with comprehensive benefits to the state, but also has created over 32,000 jobs indirectly supported by the company’s investments like construction, logistics, and other professional services.
“Hillwood and Sterling Group are honored to be involved in this project which brings significant investment to the City of Detroit and has brought thousands of construction and permanent jobs to the City,” said Gary Torgow, Founder and Chairman, Sterling Group.
Amazon is a great place to work with highly competitive pay and comprehensive benefits that begin on Day 1 of employment, plus training programs for in-demand jobs. On top of Amazon’s national average starting wage of more than $19 per hour, the company offers full-time employees industry-leading benefits on the first day of employment, including full health, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) with 50 percent company match, and up to 20 weeks paid parental leave.
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In addition, Amazon is investing more than $1.2 billion to provide free upskilling opportunities to more than 300,000 U.S. employees, to help them further their careers in high-paying, in-demand roles. Through Career Choice, employees can pursue a Bachelor’s degree, earn industry certifications leading to in-demand jobs, and build skills through English language proficiency and high school completion programs. Career Choice education partners in Michigan include Wayne State University, Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University, Henry Ford College, Washtenaw Community College, Grand Valley University, and Grand Rapids Community College.
“We are proud to partner with Amazon and have already begun recruiting Detroit residents for full-time positions at Amazon’s new Detroit robotics fulfillment center,” said Dana Williams, Chief Strategy Officer for Detroit at Work. “These jobs are providing residents with a competitive starting wage, comprehensive benefits beginning on the first day of work, and the start of a career pathway with endless opportunities at Amazon.”
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