MARSHALL COUNTY, Miss. — Amazon will be creating hundreds of new jobs when it opens a new facility in Mississippi.
According to Governor Phil Bryant’s office, Amazon has taken over a 554,000 square foot facility at the Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park in Marshall County. The company is currently in the process of making improvements to the site before launching a new consumer goods fulfillment center in the near future.
More than 850 jobs will be created in three years, and the jobs are paid a $15 per hour minimum wage.
“I am proud to welcome Amazon as the newest member of the Mississippi business community. Amazon’s presence demonstrates to industry leaders around the globe that Mississippi has what it takes for companies like Amazon to remain competitive and efficiently reach their consumers from our attractive location in the Southeast U.S.,” Governor Phil Bryant said.
“All the stars are aligning right over Marshall County,” Marshall County Administrator and Road Manager Larry Hall said. “Immediate healthcare insurance, retirement system that’s matched by Amazon. It has a long-term impact on the county.”
The Seattle-based company that has been taking the world by storm is estimated to receive a little more than $6.3 million in tax breaks in Marshall County over the next 10 years.
“They got a lot of plants up here,” lifetime Marshall County resident, Willie Rayford said.
Rayford has seen the growth in the area called the Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park, the park popping up around a major network of interstates.
“The interstate system has just now opened up with I-269 which connects us to Interstate 40 and Interstate 55, Interstate 22, Highway 72 here,” he said. “It’s just the perfect location.”
Hall thinks location played a role as to why the space was chosen, along with the fact the building was already here.
The company will spend the next few months making the changes they need for their business. The Mississippi Development Authority is also providing assistance for building construction and road improvements.
As for who will work at the plant, Hall imagines this will help many in northern Mississippi.
“The Marshall County Board of Supervisors encourages all industry to hire local residents first,” Hall said.
Hall believes the facility will open mid Summer 2019.