Amazon to open warehouse in Georgia

ATLANTA — Amazon announced it will open a new facility in Georgia that is slated to create 800 jobs in the state.

The new warehouse based in Columbia County will ship small orders, including books, toys, and household goods, according to a Monday news release from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

“I could not be more proud to welcome them to the Central Savannah River Area, and I am excited for the hardworking Georgians who will benefit from this new operation,” Kemp said.

Columbia County Board of Commissioners Chairman Doug Duncan said the new facility will be the “singlelargest” job creation and investment project in the county.

The news comes as unemployment in the state has spiked because of shutdowns in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Georgia Department of Labor said more than a million workers — about one-fifth of the state’s workforce — filed for unemployment since the crisis started.

Amazon currently employs nearly 3,500 people in facilities across Georgia, and announced in January that it expects to add an additional 1,500 employees in its warehouses in two other cities.

“The Peach State and its incredible workforce have been vital to our ability to provide great selection, competitive prices and the Prime services we know our customers love,” Robert Packett, regional director of Amazon operations, said.

According to the news release, the company has invested more than $3.6 billion in the state since 2010.