Governor Rendell Says New Amazon Facility to Create More Than 1,000 Jobs in Luzerne County

    HARRISBURG, Pa., May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
 Rendell announced today that a state investment of $1.75 million helped the
 world's leading online retailer, Amazon.com Inc., open a distribution
 center in Hazleton that will create more than 1,100 jobs within three
 years.
 
     "Not only will this project result in more than a thousand new jobs for
 hard-working Pennsylvanians, but those jobs - along with the large amount
 of private investment - will provide ancillary benefits for the entire
 region," Governor Rendell said. "This is the type of project that could
 have happened literally anywhere in the U.S., and Amazon's renewed
 commitment to Pennsylvania attests to our strong pro-business climate."
 
     The Hazleton facility, which will be operated by Amazon.com DEDC LLC,
 will occupy more than 600,000 square feet in the Humboldt Industrial Park
 and represent a total project investment of more than $20 million. The
 project will also create more than 800 seasonal jobs.
 
     "The Hazleton facility will play an important role in allowing us to
 serve our customers in the Northeast U.S. more quickly and efficiently and
 we're excited to be opening our fifth facility in Pennsylvania," said Mike
 McKenna, Amazon's vice president of North American fulfillment.
 
     The company's project was coordinated through the Governor's Action
 Team, economic development professionals who serve as a single
 point-of-contact for businesses that are considering locating or expanding
 in Pennsylvania. The commonwealth offered Amazon.com a funding package that
 included a $1.25 million opportunity grant and $500,000 in job training
 programs.
 
     The Governor's Action Team worked with Amazon on a prior project. In
 2005, the state invested $400,000 to help the company open two warehouses
 in Carlisle, Cumberland County, and Lewisberry, York County. That project
 created more than 100 full time jobs and more than 200 seasonal positions.
 
     Previous state investments to Humbolt Industrial Park have helped
 transform the location from a brownfield to a shovel-ready site able to
 attract world-class companies like Amazon. The Greater Hazleton Community
 Area New Development Organization (CAN DO) received more than $4.25 million
 from DCED's Business in Our Sites program and more than $3 million in loans
 from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, or PIDA. These
 funds were used for site preparation and infrastructure development at the
 industrial park.
 
     For information on the Governor's Action Team and DCED programs, visit
 www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.
 
     More information on Governor Rendell's 2008-09 budget proposal and his
 Protecting Our Progress initiatives is available at www.pa.gov.
 
     The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
 education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
 economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
 more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
 newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.
 
     CONTACT:
 
     Teresa Candori
 
     717-783-1116
 
     Luke Webber (DCED)
 
     717-783-1132
 
 
 

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor