Mike Segar/Reuters
Nashville will soon be home to a new Amazon distribution hub, ushering in 5,000 jobs to the southern city. Nashville officials have described the announcement as the “single largest jobs commitment” in the state’s history. The hub, called the Operations Center of Excellence, will employ corporate workers that make an average of $150,000 a year, and will be responsible for overseeing operations at distribution and fulfillment centers across the eastern United States. Amazon announced the Nashville news while revealing the locations of its new headquarters. The e-commerce giant decided to split HQ2 into two locations: New York City and Arlington, Virginia. Each city is expected to gain 25,000 jobs as a result.
As part of the Nashville deal, state and local agencies are giving Amazon up to $102 million in incentives. Amazon already employs about 2,500 workers in Tennessee, according to the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. “We are grateful for Amazon’s significant investment in our region and look forward to supporting the company as they grow their presence here,” said Courtney Ross, chief economic development officer for the Chamber.