MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Local 24 News political analyst and commentator Otis Sanford shares his point of view on the new Amazon facility in Raleigh.
It seems like eons ago when Memphis leaders wereliterally begging for Amazon to put its coveted second headquarters in theBluff City. It was actually just over 14 months ago when the big prize wasawarded to Northern Virginia, not far from the nation’s capital.
But Memphis and the Mid-South has not been left out asAmazon continues to become an economic juggernaut. And this week, the internetretail giant broke ground on a fulfillment center in Raleigh – that if all goeswell, could be up and running before year’s end.
The announcement is full of positive economic news forMemphis. One, the new center will create 1,000 full time jobs. Two, thoseworkers will be paid a minimum of $15 an hour. And three, no local tax breaksare involved in building the $200 million facility – although Amazon willreceive incentives from state government for the project. The new facility willalso be teeming with robots that will do much of the heavy lifting – which is asign of the times for high technology in the workplace.
The question is, with unemployment currently at a 50-yearlow, will there be enough workers to fill those 1,000 jobs? Let’s hope so.Because despite the occasional discouraging economic news about Memphis, thiscity is indeed going in a positive direction. And Amazon’s expanding presence providesample proof. And that’s my point of view.