Amazon will establish a centralized air cargo hub for its new Prime Air fleet near Cincinnati, the e-commerce giant announced last week.
The e-retailer said that the facility at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport would load, unload and sort packages from Amazon aircraft and create more than 2,000 new jobs in Hebron, Ky.
The company is eligible for $40 million in tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment program provided Amazon meets job and investment thresholds. The package received preliminary approval from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority.
“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," said Amazon Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations Dave Clark.
The company currently employs about 10,000 workers in its 11 distribution centers in Kentucky, and Gov. Matt Bevin said that the new announcement would translate to 2,700 full- and part-time jobs and thousands more in related industries.
Amazon last year reached agreements to lease 40 cargo airplanes as part of a broader expansion of its logistics services. Sixteen planes are already in use.
“Amazon’s Prime Air hub promises to revolutionize the fulfillment industry worldwide, and Kentucky is excited to partner with them as they embark on this disruptive, transformative and exciting venture,” Bevin said in a statement.
In addition to state tax incentives, Amazon could receive job recruitment, training and placement services through the Kentucky Skills Network.
The Kenton County Airport Board also approved a 50-year lease for the hub — which could comprise up to 900 acres — as well as $5 million in supporting airport infrastructure projects.
