Amazon prepares to expand distribution network in Virginia

The online giant is about to break ground on another fulfillment center.



The new facility, which will be more than 1 million sq. ft., will be located in Clear Brook, Virginia. The fulfillment center will employ more than 1,000 full-time associates who will be responsible for picking, packing and shipping larger customer items, such as big-screen televisions, kayaks and patio furniture.



Amazon currently employs more than 3,500 full-time hourly associates at its three existing Virginia fulfillment centers in Chester, Petersburg and Sterling, the company said.



“Our ability to expand in the Commonwealth is the result of two things: incredible customers and an outstanding workforce in the state,” said Akash Chauhan, Amazon’s VP of North America operations. “We are ex-cited to grow in support of the more than 85,000 authors, sellers, and de-velopers in Virginia growing their businesses and reaching new custom-ers on Amazon products and services.”



The new depot is part of Amazon’s recently announced plan to create more than 100,000 jobs across the U.S. over the next 18 months.