The two Amazon centers under construction in Columbia County are are right on schedule.
While early estimates projected 800 jobs for the area, Columbia County Development Authority’s Robbie Bennett said that number will be surpassed.
“We are well on-track to exceed 800 jobs. That initial number did not include seasonal or temporary, part-time staff,” Bennett said. “The fulfillment center should be ready to open at the end of August.”
MORE: Amazon Expands Columbia County Presence
The fulfillment center is located at the White Oak Business Park in Appling, Ga. It’s a hub where packages will be sorted before being transferred to a delivery station. The second development is a sorting center that was announced within a year of the first.
“When you drive down Innovation Drive, you’ll see Club Car. That building has 36-foot ceilings and is 550,000 square feet, I believe. It was the largest free-standing warehouse ever built in Columbia County,” said Bennett. “Across the street, you’ll see the Amazon building. It stands almost three times as tall.”
Bennett said the construction process has already paid dividends for the community, with construction workers supporting the local hospitality industry by staying in area hotels.
“The parking lot is absolutely packed already with vendors, construction workers and Amazon leadership,” said Bennett. “That’s the impact this is already having on Columbia County.”
Amazon will begin hiring for its first development on August 2, and job postings will go live on July 30. A link to their openings can be found here. Bennett expects the jobs to fill very quickly.
“I think people want the opportunity to work at Amazon,” he said. “That’s one of those company names people want and choose to work for.”
Bennett said he couldn’t speak to any of the controversy surrounding working conditions in some Amazon facilities around the world, but he did highlight the importance of mobilizing an untapped workforce in the CSRA.
“There are many people who have chosen or have had circumstances pressed upon them that keep that from entering the labor force. That can be stay-at-home moms, early retirees from government or military jobs, or people without transportation,” Bennett said. “Far more important than a discussion about unemployment benefits is engaging even 5 to 10% of these people to show them there are ample opportunities for them to get a quality job with good benefits and future opportunity.”
MORE: Amazon Sortation Center Underway in Appling
Appling residents have given both positive and negative feedback, according to Bennett. He said traffic has been the main concern for detractors. Bennett empathized with them but said that development is inevitable, and concentrated, strategic development that benefits the whole of the community is better than sprawling, unfocused development that will cause more headaches than necessary.
“We are hopeful. We hope it will be extremely focused and well-received in the long run,” Bennett said.
The fulfillment center is slated to open its doors in just a few days. The sorting center is due for completion by the end of the year.
Tyler Strong is the Business Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at tyler@theaugustapress.com.
