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#ThrowbackThursday: Amazon Opens First Fulfillment Center in Missouri, Continues Growth

  • June 17, 2021

In early 2018, global e-commerce giant Amazon announced plans to invest in Missouri, opening its first fulfillment center in St. Peters and creating more than 1,500 full-time jobs. Today, that location is 6,000 employees strong and growing.

“We’re excited to continue growing our team with our first, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Missouri,” said Amazon’s Vice President of North America Customer Fulfillment Sanjay Shah, at the time of the announcement. “Our ability to expand in Missouri is the result of two things: incredible customers and an outstanding workforce. Amazon is committed to providing great opportunities for employment and creating a positive economic impact for the region.”

Like most companies, 2020 and the COVID-19 virus had a major impact on Amazon’s operations. But the company pushed forward, and in April announced plans to put more than 1,000 Missourians back to work. Little did the company know that 2020 and 2021 were about to become “prime” years for its investment in Missouri.

In November 2020, Amazon announced it was investing in Missouri again, launching a new fulfillment center in Republic. The 1.3 million sq. ft. facility is slated to create more than 500 new full-time jobs in the region upon completion.

“Amazon’s expansion in Republic and the 500 new jobs it will create will greatly impact the local community and Missouri as a whole,” said Missouri Governor Mike Parson, at the time. “We are proud to see companies like Amazon growing in our state and creating more opportunities for our citizens.”

Then in February 2021, Amazon announced plans to open a new “sort center” in St. Louis. The 270,000 sq. ft. facility will be used to sort packages prior to being sent to delivery stations or partner carriers for last-mile delivery to customers.

In April 2021, Amazon once again announced plans to invest in Missouri, opening a new delivery center in Blue Springs. Amazon anticipates full operations will begin late this year at the facility.

“We look forward to becoming part of the fabric of the Blue Springs community and are thrilled to be able to expand our operations in Missouri,” said Amazon Spokeswoman Nikki Wheeler, at the time. “Amazon is a great place to work and grow professionally. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from local and state leaders and look forward to creating new, full-time jobs for the local community.”

Missouri is a prime location for the E-commerce company due to its central location in the U.S., low cost of doing business, and highly skilled labor force.

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