Wilmington, OH (November 19, 2018) – Site Location Partnership (SLP), a Dallas-based site selection advisory firm, announced the global e-commerce giant is making a return to Wilmington to open a new air gateway at the air park. Amazon is growing its investment in the community with a gateway for their Amazon Airplanes at the air park as it continues to build out its air hub operation at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
“We are excited to bring our Amazon Air operation to KILN while we continue building out our central air hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport,” said Sarah Rhoads, Director of Amazon Air. “We are opening an operation in Wilmington to ensure we have the capacity to continue to delight our customers.”
Amazon Air currently operates out of more than 20 airports across the U.S., with Wilmington opening next year. The new operation will include daily fli3ghts, and an on-site facility to sort packages bound for their next destination.
The number of jobs is yet to be determined, but Clinton County Port Authority Executive Director Dan Evers said he anticipates more than 300 new positions at the Wilmington Air Park. As for a time frame for the operations to begin, Evers anticipates June or July, “so, mid-summer.”
In October 2018, Amazon announced it would raise the minimum wage for all its U.S. employees to $15, effective in November 2018. At this time, Evers does not know whether some jobs will be part time, or whether Amazon’s air cargo operations in Wilmington will conduct during the day or night. He did say, however, officials looked at the operation model both ways. “I’m not in the position today to say it will be this, but we’ve talked more about one model than the other,” he said. “Once there is little more framework developed around a couple of operational matters, there will be more information made available,” said Evers.
“The types of positions anticipated are air cargo handling jobs on the ramp, distribution and logistics, package-handling jobs inside the facility (sorter positions), some mechanical systems maintenance jobs inside and outside the facility, and a need to add some employees in air services and in the air control tower,” he said. Conversations on the air cargo deal began in April. Amazon’s announcement is “market validation” for the air park and the greater community, Evers stated. “When one of the nation’s transformative retailers and businesses says about your community, ‘Yes, this is good enough for us, we choose it,’ that’s market validation,” said Evers.
About Clinton County Port Authority & Wilmington Air Park
The Clinton County Port Authority owns and operates the Wilmington Air Park. The Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA) was established in 2004 by the Clinton County Commissioners. The CCPA is a special purpose government formed to operate transportation infrastructure and lead economic development efforts. A primary function of the Clinton County Port Authority is the creation and retention of jobs in Wilmington and Clinton County. In 2010, with the assistance of the City of Wilmington, Clinton County and the State of Ohio, the CCPA became the new owners of the Wilmington Air Park. Today the Clinton County Port Authority manages this premier Air Park location. CCPA works with regulatory agencies, development agencies and the community to bring new jobs and economic growth to the county. Local and state incentives are available to potential tenants interested in locating in the Air Park.
About Site Location Partnership
Site Location Partnership is a multi-disciplined advisory firm that enables the growth of businesses, communities and economies through its two primary consulting areas – corporate site selection and economic development. SLP’s Corporate Location Practice helps companies from industrial and commercial sectors select the optimal location for expansion, relocation or consolidation of business facilities. SLP’s Economic Development Practice assists various organizations in implementing business attraction strategies for new corporate investment, job creation and economic growth.
Media Contact
Ashley Freeman
Research Manager
Site Location Partnership
Phone: 972-874-7483
info@sitelocationpartnership.com
https://www.sitelocationpartnership.com