Amazon bringing more than 1,500 jobs to Tucson

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Amazon.com announced it is planning to open a fulfillment center in Tucson, creating more than 1,500 full-time jobs.

The announcement on Wednesday, May 16, ended months of speculation about the plans for a certain property on Tucson's southeast side.

The more than 855,000 square-foot facility will be near South Kolb and East Valencia roads, adjacent to the Port of Tucson.

Once the jobs are posted by Amazon, you will be able to apply HERE.

"This has been a months long process," said the President and CEO of Sun Corridor, Joe Snell. "We're ecstatic."

Amazon, caps off what has been an incredible year for new job growth in Tucson. Raytheon announced the beginning of an expansion which will bring 2,000 high paying jobs to Tucson. C3, a call center announced last week its expanding by 1,500 jobs. Geico announced an additional 700 new jobs. There have also been more than a dozen smaller companies who have announced expansions as well.

"I will say we are on an upwards trajectory," Snell said. "This is called growth. We're growing. This is called economic growth."

Snell says he also anticipates two more announcements in the next 60 days.

"I don't know if I would call it an explosion, but it's happening" he said. "It's a controlled explosion, it's the way it's supposed to be happening."

Snell said there is always the risk of growing too fast, which can stretch existing infrastructure or send home prices surging but doesn't anticipate that here.

"In the big picture, Amazon coming says this market has arrived," he said. "It lets other companies know that Tucson is a good destination and with the name Amazon brings with it, then it will have a ripple effect."

Amazon joins Home Goods and Target with large distribution centers on Tucson's far east side.

Snell says the downtown redevelopment has been essential in selling Tucson as a destination. Many CEOs look for a vibrant downtown before making a decision whether to move.

Tucson has invested nearly $2 billion in public and private money in downtown in the past decade.

Amazon already employs more than 7,000 full-time associates at its four existing fulfillment centers and other facilities throughout Arizona.

Mark Stewart, Vice President of Amazon's North America Operations, said in a news release, "We're excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Tucson and to continue innovating in a state committed to providing great opportunities for jobs and customer experience."

Gov. Doug Ducey thanked Amazon for bringing the project to Tucson.

"Amazon's selection of Tucson for this impressive new facility demonstrates that southern Arizona has a lot to offer businesses in terms of talent, location, pro-business environment and quality of life," Ducey said. "This project will create thousands of new jobs and generate significant capital investment in the region. We thank Amazon for its continued growth and investment in our state."

Amazon employees at the Tucson fulfillment center will pick, pack and ship small items such as books, electronics, household items and toys. Pima County and Sun Corridor Inc. played an active role in bringing the project to Tucson.

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild said, "We see more and more international companies recognizing the advantages Tucson has to offer as a logistics hub and gateway to Mexico. Very pleased to welcome Amazon to Tucson."

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