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Amazon sets new opening timetable for Gates fulfillment center
Amazon sets new opening timetable for Gates fulfillment center
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After twice delaying the christening of the new robotic sortation fulfillment center in Gates, Amazon now anticipates a mid-summer opening of the massive facility.
While Amazon last year paused the launch of many of its newly built facilities across the country due to changing economic conditions and apparent supply chain issues, the company said it is definitely moving forward with the suburban Rochester location.
The $412 million project will create 1,000 jobs.
Gwendowlyn Thames, who oversees economic development for the online retail giant, told the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) on Tuesday that Amazon is projecting the opening to take place early in the third quarter.
“At this point in time we are full speed ahead and we’re excited and committed to coming to Rochester,” Thames told the COMIDA board.
The same may not be true for the facility Amazon built less than a mile away on Shepard Road in Ogden. COMIDA was told that plans for the completed 280,000-square-foot building remain unsettled.
“We are currently evaluating this segment in context of how it fits into our logistics network and we hope to be in a better position to share further plans in a month or so,” Thames said.
Construction is also complete on the Gates facility and Thames said the company soon will begin installation of robotics, fixtures and furniture.
Amazon received $143 million in property, sales and mortgage recording tax exemptions from COMIDA to build the 2.6 million-square-foot fulfillment center off Manitou Road.
Operations were originally slated to begin in September of 2022, but a major shift in economic conditions prompted Amazon to put on hold new startups and abandon some expansion plans all together.
The hiring process likely will begin this spring.
“We typically will begin to do some workforce engagement opportunities probably two to three months out from when the facility opens,” Thames said. “We typically will start to hire eight to 12 weeks out from when the facility is set to launch.”
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