Amazon’s newest expansion to bring 1,500 jobs to Ohio

Amazon.com Inc. will expand its footprint in Ohio next year and bring another 1,500 jobs to the state by the end of 2019, the company announced Monday.

The internet retail giant will build a distribution operation — its sixth in Ohio — in West Jefferson, a village located on Interstate 70 between Springfield and Columbus.

Employees at the 855,000-square-foot facility will pack and ship items such as electronics, books, housewares and toys, according to Amazon.

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“We are excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in West Jefferson, and to continue innovating in Ohio – a state committed to providing great opportunities for jobs and customer experience,” said Mark Stewart, Amazon’s Vice President of North America Customer Fulfillment, in a written statement. “Amazon is committed to providing great opportunities for employment and creating a positive economic impact for the region.”

West Jefferson is located in Madison County and has a population of 4,222, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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“We’re excited that Amazon is building a new fulfillment center in West Jefferson, which will help us build a stronger community for all,” said West Jefferson Mayor Ray Martin in a statement. “We’re proud of the business climate we have in West Jefferson, which is very attractive to industry leaders like Amazon.”

Amazon has more than 6,000 employees in Ohio.

Amazon already has Ohio fulfillment centers in Etna and Obetz. The company will launch additional fulfillment centers in North Randall and Monroe by the end of this year. A facility in Euclid is expected to open in 2019.

The center in Monroe is expected to bring another 1,000 jobs.

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