Amazon picks Marshall, again

The relationship between Amazon and Marshall County is growing, bigtime.

The global giant announced last week it will open a second fulfillment center in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park.

Amazon’s facility adjacent to Highway 72 reported employment of 1,241 last quarter, said Justin Hall, executive director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority. The new, state-of-the-art operation will employ “hundreds,” according to a press release from Amazon.

“This announcement represents an outstanding, continued partnership between Amazon and Marshall County,” Hall said.

“We’re committed to providing the infrastructure and workforce needed to support great projects like this one.

“We’re competing in a global economy, and it’s wonderful to have namebrand companies like Amazon in Marshall County.”

Amazon’s second operation in the county will occupy a Panattoni Development Company spec building under construction at the intersection of Gateway Global Drive and Highway 302, across from McCormick. Unlike Amazon’s other facility, Hall said this one will be an XL one, meaning it will be for shipping larger customer items like furniture, mattresses, kayaks, grills and exercise equipment.

Panattoni’s original plan was for a 554,000-square-foot building, like the other one Amazon occupies in the county.

“But after starting to work with Amazon on this opportunity, the project grew, expanding to over 1 million square feet,” Hall said.

The project is on fast track, Hall said, with hopes of being finished this fall.

“Everybody is stepping up to get this site ready,” he said. “It’s a great location.” The new full-time jobs will pay a starting wage of $15 per hour, according to an Amazon press release. The company also offers comprehensive benefits, including full medical, vision and dental insurance as well as a 401(k) with 50 percent match starting on day one. The company also offers other innovative benefits.

“Marshall County is excited to partner with Amazon as they move forward with their second facility in our county,” said George Zinn III, president of the Marshall County Board of Supervisors. “Amazon has provided hundreds of career opportunities to our region, and we support their continued growth and job creation. We look forward to continuing to work with Amazon to foster long-term investment and positive economic growth in our community.”

Hall said he is thankful for the teamwork involved in economic development projects such as this one ­ including the board of supervisors, IDA, Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), Panattoni Development Company, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and local utilities.

“Working together makes these projects possible,” he said.

Amazon first moved to Mississippi with the Marshall County location in 2018. Next came the announcement of additional facilities in Olive Branch and Canton. And now comes a second operation in Marshall County.

The recent press release said the company hired more than 1,500 employees in Mississippi last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. This supported the surge in demand due to the unprecedented health and economic crisis.

“Mississippi continues to move forward in our economic development efforts, and Amazon has been a great partner for the state,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “This new facility in Marshall County demonstrates Amazon’s commitment to Mississippi and shows how much the company values our workforce. Projects like these help creat vibrant communities, stronger local economies and a stronger tax base.”

Last week, when announcing the new fulfillment center for Marshall County, Amazon also announced a new delivery station in neighboring Memphis, Tenn.

It will be located on Hawkins Mill Road and also create “hundreds” of new jobs. Packages are transported to delivery stations from Amazon fulfillment and sortation centers, and then loaded into vehicles for delivery to customers.

“We are excited about our investment in the Mid-South region and are committed to providing great experiences for our customers, the talented workforce, as well as our neighbors,” said Courtney Johnson Norman, Amazon spokesperson.

“These new operation facilities are part of Amazon’s innovative technology network and will offer creative solutions to meet our growing customer demand in the area.”