Amazon centers have been boons for communities

NEWARK – The addition of an Amazon.com fulfillment center has been brought more than 1,000 jobs to Whitestown, Indiana, and a positive experience for the whole county, according to Michelle Wiltermood, executive director of the Boone County Chamber of Commerce.

"As far as commerce in the area, it has been wonderful," Wiltermood said of the distribution center. "It's helped our chamber immensely."

Local officials are hoping for a similar experience as Amazon is deciding whether to bring 2,000 jobs to central Ohio for centers in Etna Township and Obetz. The state approved a tax credit Monday to help the company make that decision.

It would be the first fulfillment center for the company in Ohio. According to the Amazon website, there are fulfillment centers in 26 states.

The Advocate took a look at what fulfillment centers have done for other cities and counties across the country.

Amazon brought its fulfillment center to Boone County seven years ago. Wiltermood said it has brought 1,000 jobs to the county, and that number rises to about 1,400 during the holiday season. The only downside is the location, Wiltermood said, because it's right off of a popular interstate, which has been more congested than before Amazon moved in.

Judy Cox, director of the Taylor County Chamber of Commerce in Kentucky, shared similar sentiments.

"It's done a great deal," Cox said about the Amazon fulfillment center in Campbellsville, Kentucky. "It has increased our workforce for sure."

Cox said for the last 15 years, Amazon has helped provide about 1,200 jobs to the county.

Coffeyville, Kansas, lost their Amazon fulfillment center at the end of last year, which had given about 850 temporary and full-time jobs to residents of Montgomery County.

"We're still dealing with the loss of it," Aaron Heckman, economic development director for the county said.

Amazon's fulfillment center there had been open for 15 years.

"For those years it had a huge impact on our region," Heckman said.

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