Amazon Facility In Bessemer Delays Opening

BESSEMER, AL - This year was supposed to be a landmark year for Birmingham area business with the opening of a $325 million, 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Bessemer for online retail giant Amazon. However, that timeline has shifted, as Amazon announced Monday the 2019 opening of the facility would be moved to 2020.

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"There are a variety of factors that we take into account when deciding to launch a building such as customer demand, a dedicated workforce and great local support – and we’ve found all of those in Bessemer and surrounding communities," the company said in a statement. "We still plan to launch the new facility and provide many great jobs to the area, starting at $15/hour with comprehensive benefits from day one. The only thing that’s changed with our plans is the exact timing."

The company did not specify when the facility would open, only saying it would be sometimes in 2020. Bessemer officials told the Birmingham Business Journal they have been in contact with Amazon about the change, which involves the largest economic development project – in terms of job totals – in recent metro Birmingham history.

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“Amazon officials have been in contact with us about the progress on the project," Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley said. "We’re just as excited today about Amazon’s decision to locate here in Bessemer as we were when the company made the announcement last year. We’re looking forward to working with them as they bring jobs and opportunity to our city and region.”

Ground was broken on the site of the facility in October last year.