Amazon Cargo Hub Will Create 2,700 Jobs At CVG

Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 6:27 AM

By Mike Perleberg Photo provided. (Hebron, Ky. ) - It's one of the biggest jobs announcements we've seen in some time in the tri-state. Online retail giant Amazon announced Tuesday it will build a new centralized, air hub at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport that will bring up to 2,700 new jobs - at least 600 of those full-time. Amazon will invest a staggering $1.49 billion in the project. Dave Clark, Amazon Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations, laid out why the company chose Boone County. "As we considered places for the long-term home for our air hub operations, Hebron quickly rose to the top of the list with a large, skilled workforce, centralized location with great connectivity to our nearby fulfillment locations, and an excellent quality of living for employees. We feel strongly that with these qualities as a place to do business, our investments will support Amazon and customers well into the future." Amazon's new hub will support its growing fleet of Prime Air cargo planes. Operations there will include loading, unloading and sorting packages.

"Amazon to Locate Prime Air Shipping Hub @ N. KY CVG Airport, Creating 2,700 Jobs..." https://t.co/j8ytuUoRdF @davehclark @AmazonNews pic.twitter.com/abzz545yyE

— Governor Matt Bevin (@GovMattBevin) January 31, 2017 CVG is leasing 900 acres to Amazon for 50 years under agreements with the Kenton County Airport Board and the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority. The airport is also investing $5 million to build supporting infrastructure. Airport CEO Candace McGraw says the airport is pleased to have Amazon recognize that CVG is a great place to do business. "A vibrant airport improves the economic vitality of the region and adding thousands of new jobs through establishing this hub at CVG will certainly be transformational for the local economy and local businesses," said McGraw. The State of Kentucky is offering Amazon $40 million in incentives for the project. Boone County is kicking in payroll and occupational tax incentives. Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore called Amazon's plans transformational. "We are extremely excited to celebrate this announcement for Boone County and Northern Kentucky," Moores said. "Amazon is an internationally recognized brand and service that is transforming the global aviation and logistics industries, and we are very proud that they have chosen Northern Kentucky for the Amazon Prime Air hub. I congratulate Candace McGraw and her team at CVG, the Northern Kentucky Tri-ED team and Governor Bevin’s team for their efforts in securing Amazon for our region." Kentucky U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Randy Paul and local state representatives also welcomed the news Tuesday.

Because we are a prime place to do business. Excited that @amazon planning $1.4b air hub at @CVGairport. #NKYBecause https://t.co/0cKRh78T6r pic.twitter.com/8jl5NSwBrS

— Trey Grayson (@KYTrey) January 31, 2017 Amazon has been operating in Kentucky since 1999. It now has more than 10,000 full-time team members employed at several fulfillment centers located across the state. In addition to the more than 2,000 jobs at Amazon's new facility, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin's office says the new Prime Air hub will create thousands more induced and indirect jobs. Combined with the hub’s direct jobs, total annual payroll and benefits associated with the project will reach well into the hundreds of millions of dollars. "This new project will pay dividends to both the company and our state, and we are truly grateful for the jobs and economic impact it will bring to the commonwealth," Bevin said.