Amazon Expected to Change Bessemer’s Economy

Sherrel Stewart | June 22, 2018

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Bessemer city officials and Amazon have confirmed that the nation’s largest e-commerce company will build a $325 million fulfillment center along I-20/59 near Bessemer City High School. The center is expected to be ready for operation next fall, in time for the Christmas shopping rush, says Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley.

Speaking at a press conference at Bessemer City Hall on Friday, Gulley said, “Obviously, it’s a game changer for the city of Bessemer, because nothing this large has ever been constructed in the city of Bessemer.”

The 855,000-square-feet fulfillment center will employ at least 1,500 people and use Amazon’s robotic technology. Gulley said the project is the largest private business investment in the city’s 131-year history and it’s expected to have a $40 million annual economic impact on Bessemer.

Councilman Jesse Matthews represents the area where the $325 million facility will be built. “It’s gonna be jobs creation, economic development as well,” Matthews said. “I imagine that it’s going to be a lot of spinoffs off of Powder Plant Road.”

News of the project spread quietly for several months, but more details emerged as local governments began approving incentives for Amazon. Earlier this month, the Jefferson County Commission approved $3.3 million in incentives including road improvements around the site.

The Bessemer City Council approved its own incentive package a few days later. That package includes reimbursement to Amazon for some of its capital investment, limiting permit fees to $200,000 and capping the company’s annual business license fee to $5,000. The Council also agreed to help build a transit stop at the facility.

No state incentives have been announced.