Amazon To Open New Distribution Center Near Chicago

When Amazon announced plans to open a warehouse in Beloit, I thought, "that's a great investment in the area." It will provide 500 full-time jobs at $15 an hour. Yesterday, Amazon made another big announcement and big investment in Illinois.

Amazon will open a more than 620,000-square-foot facility at the spot of the former Maywood Park horse track. It will be their largest distribution center near Chicago. It's all in an effort to make sure your packages arrive faster, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Amazon says that with the facility will come hundreds or full and part time jobs starting at $15 an hour. The announcement also helps the area in other ways. Another developer has an almost 16-acre retail spot with commitments to fill eight of the 10 spots available.

As more people will be working in the area, it's only a matter of time before it fills up with shops and restaurants to accommodate them. Amazon appears to have a strong relationship with the state. In September, they confirmed a distribution center in Skokie and have opened more than 20 warehouse facilities in the last four years.

Regardless of your thoughts about Amazon, the economic boost they give to an area  seems to be helping. Amazon has over 11,000 full time workers in Illinois and as demand grows for faster delivery, its only going to continue to grow.