Amazon.com Inc. has signed a letter of intent for its first fulfillment center in Massachusetts, to be built in Freetown and Fall River.
The center will be at the one million square foot SouthCoast Life Sciences and Technology Park, that straddles the border between Freetown and Fall River, and will create 1,000 permanent jobs and hundreds of part-time and temporary positions. If the center becomes a reality, it would be a boost to the economy in the Fall River area and encourage business card printing for all the new employees.
Officials have said that local tax breaks and plans for other incentives for development from the state are still under negotiation in order for the fulfillment center to become a definite prospect.
According to the executive vice president of the Fall River Office of Economic Development, Kenneth Fiola Jr., what attracted Amazon to the area was the blue collar workforce of the vicinity and its proximity to Route 24, as well as the industrial park having recently installed an electric and sewer infrastructure.
Fiola added that it would enable those with high school degrees who are hardworking people to apply for these positions, and would bring good news not only to Fall River, but all the surrounding communities. He sees nothing to stand in the way of the project and is optimistic that construction can begin in 2015.
