In late 2020, it was announced that online retail giant Amazon had plans to build a fulfillment center on the northwest edge of Sioux Falls. Fast forward to the present and the project is set to open on its original planned date sometime in 2022. 

What will be the largest building in the state of South Dakota, spanning almost 3 million square feet and five floors, has a budget of around $200 million. Also applying for a $61 million permit, the project will immensely help Sioux Falls’ growing economy in many ways, such as persuading other companies to build in the area.

“When Amazon goes and does something, I think most folks watch how it does it, and so to the extent that other firms, competitors or others in that industry see Amazon as something to watch, I suspect it will lead those firms to watch this very closely and in the process of doing so…probably watch this region of the country as well,” said Joseph Santos, a professor at SDSU’s Ness School of Economics and Management in an interview with Keloland News.

With this boost to the economy comes the arrival of new jobs. These not only include the ones provided by construction crews, but also various jobs offered by the fulfillment center.

“We are proud to have been selected by Amazon as their next fulfillment center location,” said Mayor Paul TenHaken in an interview with Dakota News Now. “Amazon’s decision to invest in our community reflects the company’s confidence in Sioux Falls’ economic climate and excellent workforce.”

The center will bring 1,000 full-time jobs that will include working with Amazon robotics and technology to pack and ship orders. Jobs will include industry-leading pay with a starting wage of $15 per hour or $21 per hour for warehouse associates. Full-time employees are also eligible for benefits on day one.

With the anticipated growing number of people who will live and work in the northwestern part of Sioux Falls, it is likely that other warehouses and businesses will soon be joining the Amazon fulfillment center. Along with the thousands of jobs the construction project and the facility alone will create, it is safe to say that the venture was a smart move for an up-and-coming city like Sioux Falls.