Amazon expected to launch station this month

Amazon has placed a stake in Shirley, getting ready to open an almost 11,000-square-foot warehouse at 100 Precision Drive, part of an industrial complex. The warehouse will be designed to satisfy the “last mile” of Amazon orders as they make their way to their final destinations.

According to Brookhaven supervisor Ed Romaine, the town started talking with Amazon about finding a warehouse space about 15 months ago. He said the company was originally working to build their own warehouse, but decided later to go with an existing building to streamline their opening. Romaine added that part of the pitch was the site’s central location in Suffolk County, as well as access to major roadways. The location is situated right next to William Floyd Parkway and the Long Island Expressway.

“Now you can serve all of the East End because this is ideally located,” Romaine said.

According to Amazon spokesperson Emily Hawkins, Amazon signed a lease in Shirley as well as one in Carle Place. The warehouses will be used for fulfillment of orders. Packages are transported to delivery stations from Amazon fulfillment centers, sorted, and then loaded into vehicles for delivery to customers. Collectively, the stations will create hundreds of jobs, paying a minimum of $15 per hour with benefits, Hawkins said.

“We expect that this will be a shot in the arm for the region,” Romaine said.

The building taken over by Amazon has been vacant for about two years, and the company has already started renovations in an effort to open this month. There will be no tax breaks or Industrial Development Agency benefits for the project, Romaine said. The lease is active for two years, but Romaine believes once they start there they will be inclined to stay longer. It is also the only lastmile fulfillment center in Suffolk County.

“We are excited to continue to invest in the state of New York with new delivery stations that will provide efficient delivery for customers, and create thousands of job opportunities for the talented workforce,” Hawkins said.

Jobs are currently being filled for the new warehouse, which include in-warehouse roles as well as delivery drivers. A full list of openings can be viewed at www.amazon.jobs.