Area Development
Amazon will invest more than $20.7 million on a new 70,000-square-foot customer service facility in Winchester, Kentucky, with plans to hire more than 550 full-time workers and create 600 seasonal jobs.

"There are thousands of employees working in Amazon's fulfillment centers across Kentucky, and we're proud to be expanding our presence in the state with the opening of a customer service center," said Tom Weiland, vice president, Amazon Customer Service. "We hope to have our team in Winchester up and running before the holiday season, and we're hiring great people to join us in giving Amazon customers a first-class shopping experience."

The Winchester facility will be Amazon's first customer service center in Kentucky. Amazon subsidiaries currently operate fulfillment centers in Louisville, Lexington, Campbellsville and Hebron, Ky. The multi-million dollar investment in Winchester, expected to open in late summer, will help Amazon to provide customer service and technical support. The center will be based at Winchester Plaza during construction of the permanent facility at Winchester Industrial Park, which is expected to open in 2013.

"Amazon's decision to grow its Kentucky footprint is fantastic news, especially when you consider the impact of more than 1,100 full-time and seasonal jobs it will bring to the central Kentucky region," Gov. Steve Beshear said. "Kentucky is proud to have Amazon choose Winchester for this growth opportunity and wish them continued success and prosperity."

"Being selected for a project of this magnitude will certainly positively impact our community, now and in the years to come," said Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner. "The investment and careers that Amazon will create will ripple through our economy, putting people to work and generating income for our region. This is what economic development is all about."

As part of an incentive package Kentucky Economic Development approved $10.25 million in Kentucky tax incentives. The agency also approved a $250,000 economic development grant agreement for the project. County and local officials also provided tax abatement and job creation incentives.