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Amazon to open fulfillment center at former Rolling Acres Mall in AkronFriday August 16, 2019

AKRON, Ohio – After months of speculation, the rumors are true: an Amazon fulfillment center is coming to the former Rolling Acres Mall in Akron.

The Seattle-based company announced its plans Monday to open two Ohio fulfillment centers: one in Akron and one in Rossford near Toledo.

The two distribution centers are expected to create more than 2,500 full-time jobs, including 1,500 based in Akron, according to a city spokeswoman.

Each fulfillment center is more than 700,000-square-feet and will be used to pack and ship small items such as books, electronics and toys to customers.

Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro confirmed that Amazon will redevelop the former mall property on Romig Road in partnership with the Summit County Land Bank.

“We are excited to welcome this new state-of-the-art Amazon facility to Summit County, which is the result of our latest collaboration among our local, regional and state economic development partners,” Shapiro said.

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said he welcomes Amazon, "to transform this once-blighted property into a thriving logistics and distribution hub.

“This is the single largest job-creating project we have undertaken in a generation,” Horrigan said.

Amazon offers a $15-an-hour minimum wage, full benefits and a 401(k) with a 50% match, the company said. All associates also have access to opportunities to further their education.

“Amazon continues to demonstrate confidence in the great workforce and e-commerce business climate we have in Ohio,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.

Amazon currently employs more than 8,500 Ohioans across fulfillment and sortation centers in Euclid, North Randall, Twinsburg, Etna, Obtez, Monroe, West Jefferson and Lockbourne.

Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s vice president of global customer fulfillment, said Ohio has been a great place to do business, and “as a result, we are thrilled to develop two state-of-the-art fulfillment centers in Akron and Rossford.”

Amazon has not indicated when the facility is slated to open. A company spokesman told cleveland.com that it has not started the hiring process.

“These jobs will be a boon for our local economy here in Summit County and across Northeast Ohio,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a Niles Democrat who represents parts of Akron and Summit County. "Today’s announcement is a testament to our talented workforce and tight-knit community – none of this would be possible if we weren’t in this together.”

Akron City Council voted earlier this month to reconfigure the Interstate 77 interchange with Vernon Odom Boulevard to “accommodate additional truck traffic” in the area near the soon-to-be fulfillment center.

The private developer of the former mall site, now identified as Amazon, had agreed to pay for the $1.3 million construction project. The city spent $8,500 to acquire land so crews can expand the curb areas at Fredrick and Vernon Odom boulevards, and the ramps from Fredrick Boulevard to Interstate 77. Construction on the interchange is scheduled to be completed by September.

https://www.cleveland.com/business/2019/07/amazon-to-open-fulfillment-center-at-former-rolling-acres-mall-in-akron.html