News | November 22 2024
Original Release by Florence County Economic Development Partnership.
Amazon today announced that it has opened its first facility in Florence County. This facility, which will support last-mile deliveries in the region, will be approximately 117,000 square feet located in Pee Dee Commerce City West Industrial Park. The company currently has fulfillment centers and delivery stations across South Carolina, including in Columbia, Charleston, and North Myrtle Beach.
“Florence is a great place to live and work and we're proud to be expanding our operations footprint here,” said Sam Blatt, Economic Development Manager for Amazon. “We're looking forward to better serving local customers and appreciate the support from Florence County and the Florence County Economic Development Council.”
Last-mile facilities are the final stops in Amazon’s transportation network before packages are delivered to customers’ doorsteps. Employees sort packages according to delivery routes and Amazon delivery partners finish the shipping cycle by delivering goods like books, household items and toys to the customer.
“Florence County is dedicated to enhancing our community for living, working, and recreation,” said Florence County Council Chairman William Scofield. “With Amazon being a household name, it is an ideal fit for our area. Their investment will create jobs, diversify opportunities, and expand delivery services for our residents and visitors. We’re thrilled about their commitment to establishing a facility in our county and warmly welcome them to the Florence Community.”
“We are delighted to be Amazon’s development partner on this last mile facility and celebrate the addition of an outstanding new corporate citizen in Florence County as the first tenant in our latest Class A industrial park, Pee Dee Commerce City West,” said William L. Fleming Jr., CEO, MPD Electric Cooperative & Marlboro Development Team.
“What a wonderful announcement,” said Florence County Economic Development Partnership Chairman Joe W. “Rocky” Pearce. “A special thanks to our partners at Marlboro Pee Dee Electric, Marlboro Development Team, Florence County, and the City of Florence for their collaboration in making this park and building possible. Another global leader in transportation and logistics has chosen Florence County and the I-20 I-95 corridor. Thank you to Amazon for being our anchor tenant in this new park annex.”
"The North Eastern Strategic Alliance is thrilled to welcome Amazon to Florence County. We are proud to be part of their latest expansion in South Carolina and look forward to their investment bringing jobs and opportunities to the region," said NESA Executive Committee Chairman Yancey McGill.
Hourly employees currently earn an average pay of over $22 per hour across Amazon’s customer fulfillment and transportation networks in the US. Employees have access to comprehensive benefits starting on day one, including full health, vision and dental, 401k with 50 percent company match and up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave. All Amazon associates go through hours of safety training and ongoing coaching and have access to continuing education opportunities through the company’s upskilling program, Career Choice, in which Amazon will pre-pay tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon.
Since 2010, Amazon has created more than 6,500 full- and part-time jobs in South Carolina and invested $7.2 billion across the state, including infrastructure and compensation to Amazon employees. These investments have contributed an additional $7.4 billion to the South Carolina economy and have helped create 7,000 indirect jobs on top of Amazon’s direct hires in the state.