Amazon’s hiring binge to extend to Michigan

Online retailer Amazon plans to further extend its US hiring binge into Michigan by spending up to $140 million and adding 1,600 full-time jobs at a new facility outside Detroit after being awarded a $5 million state incentive on Tuesday.

It was the second time in six months that the Michigan Strategic Fund authorized a grant for the e-commerce powerhouse to open a fulfillment center — a giant warehouse where items are stored, packaged and shipped.

The facility will be located in Romulus, home to metro Detroit’s airport.

The other center, where construction is ongoing and at least 1,000 people must work for Amazon to collect an entire $7.5 million incentive, will be based about 12 miles away in the suburb of Livonia.

Amazon currently has 277 employees in the state, according to a memo prepared by the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which said the company also considered other Midwestern states and Canada for the latest fulfillment center. Amazon spokeswoman Shevaun Brown declined to say when the two Michigan facilities will open or to divulge what the new workers will be paid. “Amazon is constantly investigating new locations to support the growth and increase the flexibility of its North American network to address customers’ needs,” she said. “Amazon is not yet commenting on any specific plans in Michigan.” (AP)