Amazon is ready to invest in yet another fulfillment center in Louisiana. This time the global retail giant is investing USD 200 million for building a robotics fulfillment center in north Shreveport. The company has set the target of opening it in 2022. Once fully operational, it will employ around 1,000 workers. They will be earning USD 15 per hour while working here. The project being built in Hunter Industrial Park is expected to provide 1,118 indirect jobs and 800 construction jobs. The construction work of 135-acre fulfillment center is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2021.
The center will also have robots working on the floor. They will be involved in various tasks like gather, sort and distribute packages for customers. Employees will be involved in clearing smaller customer orders like toys and books. Governor John Bel Edwards said that the center will be a major advancement for the city metro area. Amazon will be getting a performance-based grant of USD 5 million from the state to offset the costs of infrastructures at the site. The grand will be offered in two payments and will be given in 2022 and 2023.
Amazon Regional Director of Operations William Hicks said that while the presence of Amazon in Shreveport was not a secret, it is a really exciting day for the company as we are all set to begin operation in Louisiana in the robotics sectors. This robotics fulfillment center will mark the first presence of Amazon in north Louisiana. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins said that the project will bring positive changes in the life of many citizens. “Many of our citizens are dealing with financial challenges. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic that struck the world last year can be felt even today. I am sure that the project will make the lives of many people easier.” Amazon is already working on various fulfillment centers. It is building one such center in Carencro near Lafayette. Work is underway on another one in Baton Rouge at the former Cortana Mall. The company has also opened a distribution warehouse in south Baton Rouge.
