JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — 12 News got a first look inside the new Amazon distribution facility opening up in Johnston.
Gov. Dan McKee toured the facility Tuesday morning alongside media outlets.
The nearly 4-million-square-foot facility off Hartford Avenue will be a robotics sortable fulfillment center. It will be one of Amazon’s Northeast and East Coast hubs.
“When you essentially press ‘Buy now,’ stuff starts moving in this building and will make its way to your front door,” said Jonathan Greeley, who leads Amazon’s Economic Development efforts in New England.
Everything in the building will be sortable, such as books, electronics, housewares, and toys, Greeley said.
Construction started in November 2021 and the facility was supposed to open last summer, but Rhode Island Commerce announced the opening was being pushed back to 2024.
The town gave the online retail giant a 20-year tax break to build the facility there.
It’s expected to bring $144 million in tax revenue to Johnston over the next two decades, according to Greeley.
When it’s open, the distribution center is expected to have more than 1,500 full-time employees.
“We think we can have the talent in Rhode Island to do what we need to do to deliver for our customers across the region,” Greeley said.