Amazon to open warehouse near Orlando International Airport

Online retail giant Amazon announced Monday it will build an 850,00 square-foot facility near Orlando International Airport. 

“We are excited to join the Orlando community, creating more than 1,500 full-time jobs at our new fulfillment center,” said Akash Chauhan, Amazon’s vice president of North American operations. 

Employees will pack and ship small items like books, electronics and consumer goods.

The retail giant is promising good benefits, paid leave and tuition reimbursement. 

“It’s a big win for central Florida and it’s a good win because these are technology jobs that are going to continue and Amazon’s not going anywhere they’re going to be around for a long time,” said Mark Johnston, a professor of marketing at Rollins College. 

Orange County has kept efforts to woo the retail giant to central Florida under wraps, revealing today that permits and other county functions have been expedited to make the deal happen. 

Mayor Teresa Jacobs said in a written statement: “We look forward to this legendary innovator becoming part of our community.”

The Lake Nona facility will bring the company’s total number of employees in Florida to more than 9,000.  There is another facility in Polk County.

The facility is expected to open in 2018.

Information about jobs at Amazon facilities can be found at amazondelivers.jobs.