When Amazon announced plans to open a warehouse in Beloit, I thought that’s a great investment in the area. It will be providing 500 full time jobs at $15 an hour. Then yesterday Amazon made another big announcement and big investment in Illinois.
Amazon will be opening an over 620,000 square foot facility at the spot of former Maywood Park horse track. It will be their largest distribution center near Chicago. All in an effort to make sure your packages arrive faster, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Amazon says that with the facility will come hundreds or full and part time jobs starting at $15 an hour. The announcement also helps the area outside of the jobs they are providing. Another developer has an almost 16 acre retail spot with commitments to fill 8 of the 10 spots available.
As more people will be there working, it’s only a matter of time before the area fills up with shops and restaurants to accommodate them. Amazon appears to have a strong relationship with the state. Back in September they confirmed a distribution center in Skokie and has opened more than 20 warehouse facilities in the last four years.
Regardless on your thoughts about Amazon, the economic boost they give to an area by other smaller shops and restaurants opening seems to be helping. Amazon has over 11,000 full time workers in Illinois and as demand grows for faster delivery, its only going to continue to grow.
