Amazon announcement a boost to storm-stricken area

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - A thousand jobs are coming to a southern Indiana area devastated by tornadoes.

Amazon is building a new distribution center in the town of Jeffersonville . It's south of Henryville one of the hardest-hit areas in the March 2 tornadoes. When the distribution center is complete, it will be Amazon.com's fifth facility in the state.

Clark County took the brunt of the storm. Now the county is getting some good news.

"We are happy to be part of this wonderful community," said Amazon spokesperson Mary Oseko.

Seattle-based Amazon.com announced plans to build a distribution center in Clark County. On Tuesday, Amazon said it will spend about $150 million on the center in Jeffersonville and create hundreds of jobs.

"We hope that by creating a thousand new jobs, it really helps this community in need right now," Oseko said.

Most of the jobs will be full-time or seasonal.

"We'll begin hiring later this year and again bringing jobs with benefits to the state," Oseko said.

Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore said he's extremely excited about the news.

"An addition like this shows Jeffersonville is at the forefront of a national rebound," he said.

Amazon expects to have the center open in the fall.

"We've been very happy with the business environment and the quality of the work force in Indiana, and we're looking forward to continuing to invest in facilities in the state," Oseko said.

Construction of the facility started last month. Amazon currently has similar facilities in the northwest Indianapolis area, Whitestown and Plainfield.