Amazon to build $187 million distribution center in Alcoa, create 800 jobs

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Amazon officials announced today that Amazon will establish a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Alcoa.

The site, which is anticipated to launch in 2022, will create nearly 800 new, full-time jobs with benefits and opportunities to engage with advanced robotics. Amazon employees at the more than 634,812-square-foot fulfillment center will pick, pack and ship smaller customer items, such as books, electronics and consumer goods.

The Alcoa facility will be Amazon’s third fulfillment center in Tennessee to use innovative robotics technology and the company’s eighth fulfillment center in the Volunteer State. In 2020, Amazon announced it would establish similar fulfillment center operations in Memphis and Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Amazon currently operates fulfillment and sortation centers in Charleston, Chattanooga, Lebanon, Memphis, Murfreesboro and Nashville. The company is in the midst of building Amazon Nashville, a new downtown office that will bring more than 5,000 tech and corporate jobs to Nashville.

Since 2010, Amazon has invested nearly $9 billion in Tennessee, including infrastructure and compensation to thousands of its employees in the state. Amazon’s investments in Tennessee contributed an additional $8.7 billion into the state’s economy, and using methodology developed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Amazon estimates its investments in the state have created an additional 12,700 indirect jobs on top of the company’s direct hires in Tennessee.

Amazon has pledged to invest over $700 million to provide 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.

Over the last five years, TNECD has supported more than 60 economic development projects in East Tennessee, resulting in approximately 7,400 job commitments and $2.3 billion in capital investment.

To learn more about working at an Amazon fulfillment center, visit www.amazondelivers.jobs.

QUOTES

“Over the past year, Amazon has announced projects in each of Tennessee’s grand divisions, accounting for nearly 3,000 new jobs. As we continue to navigate through the pandemic and reboot our economy, we know our recovery is supported by the success of our Tennessee businesses. We are grateful that Amazon continues to provide jobs to thousands of Tennesseans, and we congratulate the company on its newest fulfillment center in Alcoa.” – Gov. Bill Lee

“It is a testament to the strength of Tennessee’s business climate that companies are attracted to our state and choose to operate and expand here. Amazon is a global brand that has invested $1.5 billion and created more than 25,000 jobs across all three grand divisions of our state, and we appreciate their team for choosing to grow in East Tennessee. We would also like to thank Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Clay Bright and his outstanding leadership team for their many contributions to help bring this project to fruition.” – TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe

“We are excited to continue creating a positive economic impact in the region with job opportunities and industry-leading benefits that start on the first day of the job. Tennessee is a great state for business and we are excited to have the opportunity to partner, grow and better serve our customers throughout this region.” – Holly Sullivan, Amazon’s head of worldwide economic development

“I, along with all the citizens of Blount County, are delighted Amazon made its decision to locate here. The jobs and worldwide recognition it brings are extremely beneficial to this area. We thank Amazon, Gov. Bill Lee, Tennessee ECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe, Tennessee Department of Transportation, and our county and city commissioners for tirelessly working together to bring this project to fruition. I, along with the citizens of Blount County, wish them great success and look forward to working with them for many years to come.” – Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell

“Having Amazon locate in a community has proven to be beneficial for everyone involved, and on behalf of the Blount County Economic Development Board, I’m happy to welcome its leadership to Blount County and East Tennessee. The regional economic impact of an operation like this will be felt almost immediately. We are excited to get this project progressing quickly and look forward to watching it grow.” – Matt Murray, chairman of the Blount County Economic Development Board

“TVA and City of Alcoa Electric Department congratulate Amazon on its decision to locate and create hundreds of new job opportunities in Blount County. We are proud to partner with the Blount Partnership, City of Alcoa, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to celebrate Amazon’s continued commitment to job creation and investment in the Valley and look forward to supporting its future business success in the region.” – John  Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development

“It’s no surprise that Amazon is making such a substantial investment in Blount County and bringing 800 jobs to our area. Companies realize that Tennessee is a great place to live and do business. I appreciate the work of state and local officials who helped secure these jobs, which will be a tremendous boost to the local economy.” – Senator Art Swann (R-Maryville)

“Amazon has been a great partner for Tennessee and I’m very proud to welcome them to Blount County. These 800 new jobs will help diversify our local economy.  I thank Amazon for their investment in our community and I wish them success for many years to come.” – Rep. Jerome Moon (R-Maryville)

Source: State of Tennessee ECD, by Jennifer McEachern

The East Tennessee Economic Development Agency markets and recruits business for the 15 counties in the greater Knoxville-Oak Ridge region of East Tennessee. Visit www.eteda.org

 

Published February 3, 2021