JDA partners with Amazon on its $30M Mobile, AL expansion

Late yesterday, Amazon announced its intention to build a 362,000 square-foot sortation center in west Mobile off I-10. Total cost of the project is nearly $30 million, and will ultimately employ more than 360 part-time employees, while boosting that number by more than 1,000 seasonally.

The Mobile Area Chamber, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Commerce, Mobile County Commission and the City of Mobile have worked this project since early 2017. The center is a partnership between Amazon and Johnson Development Associates, and according to Amazon officials, is expected to be open later this year.

As Amazon’s first location in the state of Alabama, the center will serve as a site to efficiently sort products sold on amazon.com for consumer use.

“There are a lot of contributing factors that go into our thought process on where to place a new customer fulfillment or sortation center. Most importantly, we want to make sure our facilities are placed as close to the customer as possible to ensure we can offer a great Prime service and fast shipping speeds to customers, said Ashley Robinson, strategic communications manager for Amazon. “We also look at the workforce and we’ve found great talent in abundance in Mobile County.”

“This will be the first Alabama hub for Amazon’s vast distribution network, and we will work with the Internet retailer and our allies in Mobile to develop a partnership that can lead to other opportunities over time,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Having a world-class company like Amazon making a significant investment in Alabama is always a positive development.”

The project will be located in Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl‘s district, who said, “The biggest thing the Amazon center will do besides the obvious jobs is put Mobile County on a very short list of cities that could be in every home in American via the shipping label. We’re selling Mobile everyday anyway we can. On new planes, shipments from overseas and on every Amazon label! This helps America and the world know that Mobile is a great place to do business.”

Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood, said, “We are pleased to add Amazon to the list of industry juggernauts doing business in Mobile County. Our investment in the infrastructure to attract more and more jobs is reaping dividends for our residents.”

City of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said, “Great work by Team Mobile to land Amazon and this incredible project that will create hundreds of new jobs for our citizens. Amazon is one of the most successful and innovative companies in the world, and we could not be more excited to welcome their first major location in Alabama. Mobile is open for business, and the best is yet to come!”

Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Amazon to Mobile County. Mobile has been on the world stage for several years now with many national and international corporations locating in the Mobile area. I’m happy to see our most recent additions – Walmart and now Amazon – also realize the great business opportunities here.”

Troy Wayman, the Mobile Area Chamber’s vice president of economic development, said, “This is yet another example of how Mobile’s distribution infrastructure and workforce continue to draw the attention of international companies like Amazon. The city and the county elected officials came together along with other members of Team Mobile to once again provide a win for our community. We are excited that Amazon chose Mobile for its first investment in Alabama.”

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