“It’s a win-win for everyone:" Gov. Walker celebrates new Amazon fulfillment center in Kenosha
KENOSHA -- Governor Scott Walker joined Amazon officials and local leaders Wednesday, October 7th as Amazon unveiled its new one-million-square-foot fulfillment center.
The ceremony celebrated the addition of Kenosha to the company’s nationwide fulfillment network of operational facilities.
Amazon Fulfillment Center Kenosha
The event was part of Governor Walker’s Working for Wisconsin tour -- aimed at highlighting initiatives and programs throughout the state that are working for the people of Wisconsin.
“The decision by Amazon to open their latest fulfillment center here in Wisconsin is a testament to our infrastructure and workforce assets available to companies looking to grow or initiate operations here,” Governor Walker said. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved. We’re thrilled to welcome the world’s largest online retailer to the state, which will increase our economic activity, and Amazon gains access to the state’s skilled workforce. Our reforms are working for Wisconsin, and looking forward, we will continue to invest in programs and initiatives that benefit the hard-working taxpayers of Wisconsin.”
Amazon Fulfillment Center Kenosha
According to the Governor's Office, Amazon considered multiple factors when evaluating plots in their search for the ideal site to fulfill its significant development requirements. The Kenosha site was chosen because it met a long list of criteria, including proximity to customers and a talented local workforce. The suitability of the Kenosha location led Amazon executives to expand the development’s initial scope to include a 500,000-square-foot sortation center in addition to its originally planned distribution center. The final combined projects represent over 1.5 million square feet and a total investment of nearly $250 million.
As a part of their growth in Wisconsin, Amazon is eligible to receive up to $10.3 million in tax credits over an 11-year period through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program for job creation and capital investments. According to the company, Amazon already exceeded their planned capital investment of $155 million and created more than 2,000 quality, good-paying jobs, the Governor's Office said.
The Amazon Fulfillment Center was made possible with the help of several key partners, including the Kenosha Area Business Alliance and City of Kenosha, which provided $22.5 million in financial assistance for the project; as well as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), We Energies and Kenosha Water Utility.
Amazon Fulfillment Center Kenosha