Amazon Distribution Center to Create 1,200 New Jobs

More than 1,200 new jobs are on the way as the Amazon.com, an online retail giant, builds its 10th distribution center in Cayce Lexington County, South Carolina. The project, with the code-name “Project ASAP,” will hire around 1,249 full-time employees once the center begins full scale operations, plus another 2,500 seasonal employees during the Christmas season peak. The distribution center will be built on the 12th Street Extension in Cayce, which has major advantages for Amazon since it’s near the Interstate 77 and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Amazon spokesman, Frederick Kiga, said that Amazon considered a lot of factors before they approve the project. “There was a combination of factors behind Amazon’s decision. One is the proximity to markets, the other is the availability of workforce, and thirdly is a cooperation of state and local officials to get things done.” In addition, Kiga said that the Amazon, along with the Midland officials, is eager to get the project completed immediately. “We hope to wrap this up and be in construction by early next year, if not this year.”

Governor Mark Sanford disclosed that the Amazon’s $100 million worth of investment will bring huge positive impact on their community, especially with its unemployment rate which is currently at 7.6%, the state’s lowest. “It represents a big plug at a variety of different levels. I think most of all; it’s another marquee name coming into South Carolina, which signals to other marquee names across the national/global marketplace that South Carolina is a good place to do business.”