Amazon shows off progress on Livonia facility

Online retail giant Amazon opened the doors to its Livonia Fulfillment Center July 26 for a sneak-peak event for media and officials.

The 1 million-square-foot building on the corner of Amrhein and Eckles is still under construction and set to open in October. The building is the size of 28 football fields and it will hold at least 70 truck bays. The fulfilment center will hold inventory for a variety of products that will be shipped to Amazon customers across Michigan and other parts of the country.

Fred Howley, senior operations manager for the Livonia Fulfillment Center, led the tour and said there is room on the property for possible expansion in the future.

“This is the 21st Century of business and customer service coming to our city,” said Livonia Mayor Dennis Wright. “This project provides new jobs, new tax base, and many new opportunities for our community. We are honored Amazon picked Livonia.”

The company has begun the process of hiring some 1,000 full-time employees to staff the Livonia Fulfillment Center. The company will also be looking for a number of seasonal workers for temporary jobs in the fall.

Interested candidates can apply online (www.amazondelivers.jobs/about/our-opportunities/hourly-fulfillment-jobs/det1-jobs). There will also be several opportunities to submit applications to Amazon at Schoolcraft College in August and September.

Full-time employees are needed to fill jobs such as dock clerk, receiving clerk, and data analyst. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma. The company will provide necessary training. These employees will start at $13.70 an hour, and collect benefits such as health-care benefits on day one, 401(k) match, holiday and overtime pay, paid time off and employee discounts.