Amazon announces opening of large center in Jacksonville

It's the largest jobs announcement in Jacksonville's history.

Amazon announced via press release Wednesday morning that it plans to create an 800,000+ square-foot fulfillment center in the Bold City, creating over 1,500 full-time jobs in the process.

"Becoming a member of the Jacksonville community is very exciting for us as we grow our presence in Florida," said Amazon Vice-President of North America Operations Akash Chauhan. "We look forward to [continuing] building relationships in the community to make Jacksonville home."

Construction has already begun and could wrap up by summer or fall of 2017.

Company officials say the center's employees will pick, pack and ship items like books, electronics and consumer goods to customers.

Many locally suspected the web giant was the company whose identity was being hidden by city and state officials as part of "Project Rex", one that's eligible for up to $18 million in incentives.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry - who penned a memo stating the center would be located in the Northwest part of the city near Jacksonville International Airport by 2019 - calls this a "huge win" for the city and its residents.

"Their entry strengthens Jacksonville's position as a destination for international business and contributes to increased economic development growth and improved quality of life," Curry noted.

Jerry Mallot - the president of JAXUSA Partnership, a private non-profit division of the JAX Chamber - says it's the biggest jobs announcement in the city's history and would see Amazon make a capital investment of $200 million.

"This project further supports our strategy of targeting outstanding companies and solidifies Jacksonville as a region of wide-open opportunity where anything is possible," Mallot stated.

At least 500 of those jobs would have an average salary of $50,000 a year plus benefits, according to Mallot. The rest would be production jobs with an average wage of $12 to $15 an hour.

Mallot also thinks all of the full-time jobs will be in place sooner than 2019, especially if Amazon gets the center operating before the 2017 holiday season.

Florida Governor Rick Scott also echoed similar sentiments.

"It is great news that Amazon continues to invest in Florida and create new jobs for our families," Scott said. "I look forward to their continued success in Jacksonville and across our state."

Anyone who's interested in applying for open positions at that center can click here for more information.