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The Port of Baltimore
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November/December 2013
PORT
BUSINESS
T
he Fortune 500 online retail
giant, Amazon.com, Inc., has
announced plans to open a
one-million-square-foot ful-
fillment center on the former
site of the General Motors assembly plant
in southeast Baltimore.
Looking forward to opening the facility
in 2014, the Seattle-based company noted
in October that more than 1,000 full-time
jobs will be created at the center.
“I’m thrilled that Amazon is joining our
community of businesses that surround the
Port of Baltimore,” said Governor Martin
O’Malley. “Companies are taking note of
the investments we’re making in trans-
portation infrastructure and workforce
development, and they’re creating jobs
here. We know Amazon’s decision was
based on a solid business plan, and we
Online Retailer
Bringing
1,000 Jobs
to Southeast
Baltimore
look forward to working with them as they
continue to expand here in Maryland.”
The Amazon site is part of the
Chesapeake Commerce Center, developed
by Duke Realty Corporation.
“Chesapeake Commerce Center is an
ideal distribution site because of its prox-
imity to a large percentage of the country’s
population, the availability of a strong
and skilled labor force, and its access to
major transportation networks, including
Interstates 95 and 895, rail service, and the
Port of Baltimore,” said Peter Scholz, Senior
Vice President of Duke Realty’s Baltimore
operations. “When we began development
of the site, we envisioned an active ware-
house and distribution hub anchored by a
tenant such as Amazon. We are pleased
that they have selected Duke Realty and
Chesapeake Commerce Center for this new
distribution center.”
According to an Amazon press announce-
ment, employees at the facility will “pick,
pack and ship” books, electronics and
consumer goods.
Amazon fulfillment center jobs pay on
