For Immediate Release
North Pekin, Illinois – Amazon has selected a location in Greater Peoria to serve as a Fulfillment Center, occupying a 100,000 square foot existing warehouse at 1961 Edgewater in North Pekin, Illinois. While a timeline for opening has not yet been solidified, it is hoped the Center will be open by the middle of 2022. Final employment figures are being finalized, but similar Fulfillment Centers across the country typically employ between 250 and 500 people. Wages at Amazon start at a minimum of $15 per hour and benefits include health care coverage and parental leave. The facility will be open around the clock, 365 days a year.
Amazon Delivery Centers are where orders are prepared for last-mile delivery to customers. to enable its fast, everyday shipping. In addition to employees within the facility, Amazon works with third-party Delivery Service Partners to deliver packages to their final destination. They also create opportunities for private individuals to be part-time couriers through its Amazon Flex program.
“We are excited to have Amazon select our area for a Fulfillment Center,” said David Zimmerman, Chairman of the Board for Tazewell County, within which the Center will be located. “The jobs Amazon will bring benefit not just to North Pekin and Tazewell County, but the entire region.”
The project has been under development for nearly two years. Amazon worked locally with Tom Camper of Joseph & Camper Commercial to investigate a number of options in Greater Peoria. Delayed by COVID in the midst of the search, Camper was able to finalize a lease agreement between the property owner and Amazon earlier this year. Renovation of the facility has not started yet.
The North Pekin Fulfillment Center represents the latest Amazon investment in Illinois. From 2010 to 2019 Amazon has invested over $8 billion in capital infrastructure and wages in Illinois and employs over 36,000 people across the state as of the end of 2020. Amazon’s footprint in Illinois includes nine fulfillment and sortation centers, eight delivery stations, a technology hub, an air gateway and a regional air hub.
“We are excited to continue our investment in the state of Illinois and look forward to creating hundreds of new, full-time jobs,” said Caitlin Polochak, regional PR manager, Amazon. “We appreciate the support from state and local leaders who have made Amazon’s growth in Illinois possible.”
Additional project details will be forthcoming in the near future. Amazon typically starts the hiring process about a month before a facility opens.
Questions should be directed to Christopher Setti, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, at csetti@greaterpeoriaedc.org or (309) 495-5956.