Online retail giant Amazon will build a $325 million, 855,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fulfillment center on more than 100 acres off Powder Plant Road in Bessemer, Alabama. The company plans to employ 1,500 in the Birmingham region.

“We are thrilled to bring our first fulfillment center to the state of Alabama, creating 1,500 full-time jobs,” said Mark Stewart, Amazon’s Vice President of North America Customer Fulfillment. “Alabama has a talented workforce and we look forward to making a positive economic impact in a state where we are committed to providing great job opportunities and an exceptional customer experience.”

Amazon employees at the state-of-the-art fulfillment center will work alongside innovative technology created by Amazon Robotics, which help employees complete jobs in a more efficient manner. Employees will pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, household items and toys.

Amazon worked closely to finalize the project with: Alabama Department of Commerce, Jefferson County Commission, the City of Bessemer and its Industrial Development Board, AIDT, Alabama Department of Transportation, Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, Alabama Power Co., Spire, Cushman & Wakefield | EGS Commercial Real Estate, U.S. Steel and the Birmingham Business Alliance.

“Amazon’s $325 million investment in our community is a big win for the Birmingham region,” said Lee Smith, East Region CEO for BBVA Compass and 2018 Chairman of the BBA. “This state-of-the-art facility will be able to accommodate an expanding workforce and a changing economy as Amazon continues to prepare for its future. The BBA was pleased to lead several aspects of the project, including presentation of the site, infrastructure issues and local incentives. As in most successful projects, it was a well-coordinated community effort that led to a successful conclusion, and we’re very grateful to our partners and allies for their great work on this project.”

“Amazon is one of the world’s most dynamic companies, and we couldn’t be more proud to see the company select Alabama for one of its high-tech fulfillment centers,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “This facility represents good jobs for our citizens and the beginning of a long partnership that I believe will see Amazon expand and grow in Alabama in the future.”

Amazon’s fulfillment center is in line with the state’s strategy to recruit technology-focused jobs, said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Amazon’s new fulfillment center in Bessemer will create a large number of high-quality jobs and feature cutting-edge automation and technological innovation,” he said. “We’ve made recruiting technology-focused jobs a priority, and Amazon’s presence in the state will help us advance toward our goal.”

“Whenever a company of Amazon’s panache enters a community, things improve,” said Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington. “Not only does Amazon bring the Birmingham metro area a minimum of 1,500 good paying jobs with full benefits, it also provides its employees a post high school education pathway with its tuition assistance program.”