Amazon.com To Open Baltimore Distribution Center, Giving Area 1,000+ Jobs
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- More than 1,000 jobs are heading to Charm City after Amazon announces it's building a new fulfillment center in the Port of Baltimore.
Monique Griego has more on what's coming.
The jobs are full-time and well-paying. City and state leaders hope it's the beginning of more big business coming to the area.
Online retail giant Amazon will soon be bringing major jobs to Baltimore. The Fortune 500 company just announced it picked Charm City as the location for one of its new fulfillment centers.
"Of course we always talk about jobs, jobs, jobs. It's a great thing for the city, a great thing for Southeast Baltimore," said Baltimore City Councilman Brandon Scott.
The 1 million square foot facility will be going up in the Port of Baltimore in a spot formerly taken by a GM assembly plant. The warehouse is expected to create 1,000 full-time jobs, all with benefits that include a 401(k), health care and even pre-paid tuition for college.
"It's critical, I think, for any kind of employer to bring those kinds of jobs to this area," said Royce Min.
"I think that's really important, especially for folks who really wouldn't be able to afford those types of opportunities," said Miranda Hall.
Employees at the fulfillment center will pick, pack and ship various goods to consumers. The Baltimore location is one of eight new warehouses planned nationwide. Amazon is building the centers in cities it believes have a large consumer base, making it easier to get products to people faster.
City leaders believe it's just the beginning of more big business.
"Holds Baltimore in a higher light, a better light and once again shows that we're a world-class city that's open for business," Scott said.
It's still unclear as to when construction at the site will start.
According to Amazon, they pay employees 30 percent more than the average retail job.
Duke Realty is building the project in Baltimore. To learn more about working at an Amazon fulfillment center, click here.
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