KENT COUNTY, Mich. — (GRBJ) - Amazon’s Kent County fulfillment center is open for business.
Amazon welcomed new associates on March 8 inside the 855,000-square-foot building, at 4500 68th St. SE in Gaines Township, to celebrate its first day of operation.
According to a previous Business Journal article, Amazon invested $150 million into the project and is leasing the space from Atlanta-based developer Seefried Industrial Properties.
The Michigan Strategic Fund in 2018 approved a $4 million Michigan Business Performance program grant to support the project. Gaines Township is providing a 50% property tax abatement in support of the project.
The company’s public relations representation did not provide additional information at press time.
The fulfillment center employs hundreds of full-time associates who pick, pack and ship ordered items to customers, Amazon said. Positions still are available at the Gaines Township fulfillment center. Interested candidates can apply online.
On top of Amazon’s $15 minimum wage, the company offers full-time employees benefits, including health care from Day 1, 401(k) with 50% match, up to 20 weeks paid parental leave and Amazon’s innovative Career Choice program, which prepays 95% of tuition for courses in high-demand fields.
Since the program’s launch four years ago, more than 25,000 employees have pursued degrees in game design and visual communications, nursing, IT programming, radiology and more, Amazon said.
In addition, Amazon has pledged to invest over $700 million to provide upskilling training for 100,000 U.S. employees for in-demand jobs. Programs will help employees access training to move into highly skilled roles across the company’s corporate offices, tech hubs, fulfillment centers, retails stores and transportation network, or pursue career paths outside of Amazon.
This story originally appeared in the Grand Rapids Business Journal. To find similar content, pick up a copy or find more on their website.
RELATED VIDEO:
More Business News on 13 ON YOUR SIDE:
- Gun Lake Casino to offer sports betting, online gaming
- Holland used car dealership under suspension for alleged odometer tampering
- Gas prices decline to lowest price since February 2019
- 'I feel her here': Lakeshore family starts custom lantern business after mother's unexpected death
- GRBJ: Employers hiring guest workers may get visa cap relief
- Customers looking for deals at Art Van confused over liquidation announcement
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
