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Development is ongoing in Republic's Garton Business Park as the city and Amazon announced the corporation's plans to build a distribution center.
SBJ photo by McKenzie Robinson
Development is ongoing in Republic's Garton Business Park as the city and Amazon announced the corporation's plans to build a distribution center.

No. 2: Amazon puts down roots in Republic

2020 Business Year in Review

Posted online

In Early November, Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) became one of the most high-profile companies to date to announce plans for a development in the Springfield metropolitan area.

Prior to the Nov. 5 confirmation by the e-commerce corporation and the city of Republic, rumors circulated for more than a month that Amazon was the tenant of a “massive” distribution center and warehouse project first teased by the city in late September.

The 1.3-million-square-foot project is slated to create more than 500 full-time jobs. Officials have set a 2021 launch date; a more specific timeline has not yet been disclosed.

The development also included Drury University’s November sale of land in Republic at Highway MM and Sawyer Road. Greene County assessor records show the site comprises nearly 134 acres.

A Drury spokesperson said proceeds would go into the school’s endowment. When presented a deed of trust listing a note amount of $115.4 million, the spokesperson said it did not correspond with how much the school was paid for the site.

Amazon officials have 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.

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

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

The Springfield nonprofit’s plans comprise a 230,000-square-foot distribution center on around 135 acres at the Republic and Springfield border.

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