Amazon to open in North Pekin next week

PEORIA (25 News Now) - One of the nation’s largest online retailers - Amazon - will open a fulfillment center in North Pekin on Feb. 9, creating more than 200 jobs, according to local economic development leaders.

The fulfillment center serves as a distributor for packages coming in and going out. For residents, this doesn’t just mean more jobs. It’s also a revenue generator for the municipality.

“We also know that those folks coming as they come into work in Pekin are going to eat something here, maybe get gas, maybe stop and shop somewhere,” said Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy McCoy. “We welcome the opportunity to support those folks.”

Although the investment cost millions of dollars, North Pekin Mayor Stephen Flowers said the desire was strong to bring Amazon to the area.

I think it’s a win-win for us and for them,” said Mayor Flowers. “We’ve done everything we can to accommodate them. We didn’t charge them for permits and things of that nature. We want them here.”

According to the Greater Peoria Economic Development Center, the branch will bring more than 200 jobs to the area in the next few months. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the new location on Feb. 9.

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