Amazon To Bring 1,500 Jobs To Tucson

TUCSON, AZ — Amazon plans to further expand in Arizona with its first fulfillment center in Tucson, the company said Wednesday. More than 1,500 new full-time jobs will be created at the new 855,000-square-foot facility. That’s on top of the 7,000 full-time associates Amazon employs at its four other fulfillment centers in Arizona.

The jobs come with competitive hourly wages and a benefits package that includes health insurance, a 401(k) retirement package and company stock awards, Amazon said in the announcement.

“Since we first broke ground in Arizona over 10 years ago, we have found a network of support from community leaders to statewide officials, a dedicated workforce and fantastic customers,” Mark Stewart, vice president of Amazon’s North America Operations, said in a statement. “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.”

Amazon said in the announcement that it has invested billions of dollars in the Grand Canyon State since 2007, whether in fulfillment center infrastructure or compensation. (Sign up for Tucson Patch for real-time news alerts and free morning newsletters. Like us on Facebook. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app.)

Amazon said that between 2011 and 2016, its Arizona investments contributed an additional $900 million into Arizona’s economy. Using methodology developed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Amazon estimates its investments in the state have created an additional 18,000 indirect jobs on top of the company’s direct hires.

Arizona Gov. Dave Ducey said in the announcement that Amazon’s selection of Tucson for further expansion “demonstrates that southern Arizona has a lot to offer businesses in terms of talent, location, pro-business environment and quality of life.”

“This project will create thousands of new jobs and generate significant capital investment in the region,” Ducey said. “We thank Amazon for its continued growth and investment in our state.”

Economic development officials from the city of Tucson, Pima County and Sun Corridor Inc. helped bring the project to Tucson, Amazon said.

"We see more and more international companies recognizing the advantages Tucson has to offer as a logistics hub and gateway to Mexico,” Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild said in the statement, adding he is “very pleased to welcome Amazon to Tucson.”

“Southern Arizona continues to attract industry leaders like Amazon seeking the ideal location for their next phase of growth,” Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, said. “Amazon’s continued expansion throughout Arizona with this new operation in Tucson speaks to the company’s confidence in our state as an excellent place to do business.”

Employees at the new Tucson center will pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics, household items and toys.

The project is being developed by Seefried Industrial Properties.

Photo via Shutterstock / VDB Photos