Amazon, Republic confirm development plans

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Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) and the city of Republic this morning confirmed the development of a distribution and fulfillment center southwest of Springfield.

The 1.3-million-square-foot project is slated to create more than 500 full-time jobs, according to a news release. Officials have set a 2021 launch date.

“We are excited for our future in Missouri and for what this means for our customers across the state as we continue to grow," said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s vice president of global customer fulfillment, in the release. "We’d like to thank the community of Republic and local and state leaders for their strong support in making this project possible.”

Springfield Business Journal previously confirmed Amazon's entry into Republic with a Sunshine Law public records request. However, Amazon and city of Republic officials declined to confirm the plans until this morning's news release.

Amazon officials said the new jobs would start at $15 per hour in wages, along with benefits such as medical, vision and dental insurance, and a 50% match on its 401(k) plan. Republic officials said Amazon would become the city's top employer with the new facility.

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

Officials with the city of Republic previously cited a nondisclosure agreement for declining to confirm Amazon's plans. The city teased a "massive" distribution center and warehouse project in late September, without naming the tenant.

SBJ previously reported Atlanta-based Seefried Industrial Properties Inc. is serving as developer for the project in the Garton Business Park.

Republic officials also said transportation infrastructure improvements are in the works as the Amazon facility is expected to increase traffic, according to a news release.

In addition to Amazon, a large-scale Convoy of Hope distribution center is in the works in Republic.