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Online giant to expand its presence in Maryland

11/8/2017
Amazon is once again bolstering its distribution fleet in the Old Line state.

The online giant is opening an 855,000-sq.-ft. facility in Baltimore’s Sparrow Point district. This will be Amazon’s fourth fulfillment facility in the state.

The new building will create more than 1,500 full-time positions. These employees will augment more than 5,000 associates that work at Amazon’s sortation center, which is co-located with its Prime Now hub, and a fulfillment center in Baltimore, and another fulfillment center in North East, Maryland. When the new facility opens, all four buildings will comprise a total of 3.3 million total sq. ft.

The new distribution center is expected to open in 2019, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Over the past two years, Amazon has invested millions of dollars into its local fulfillment center infrastructure and through compensation to thousands of employees in the state. Between 2014 and 2016, Amazon’s investments in Maryland contributed an additional $100 million into the state’s economy, the online retailer said.

These existing buildings are also energy efficient, as more than 11,500 solar panels are installed on the rooftops of the Baltimore fulfillment facilities, a move that generates more than 3.5MW of combined peak power. Amazon's rooftop solar projects typically reduce the amount of electricity the site draws from the utility each year by 30%, according to the company.

Amazon did not reveal if the new building will also feature solar panels.

“We’re excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in historic Sparrows Point and to continue innovating in a state committed to providing great opportunities for jobs and customer experience,” said Sanjay Shah, Amazon’s VP of North America Customer Fulfillment.

Baltimore is also among the more than 200 bids that Amazon received from cities and regions in 54 states, provinces, districts and territories across North America, all eager for the opportunity to be considered to host the online giant’s second North American headquarters. The online giant is referring to this new headquarters as “HQ2.”

Amazon will announce its decision next year.
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