First State Times

Amazon will be coming to Delaware with the help of taxpayer dollars.

According to DelawareRepublic, the State Council on Developmental Finance voted at the end of February to support a grant that would help Amazon open a new location in the state. The final vote was unanimous in favor of the new facility.

Specifically, Amazon will be given a $4.5 million Strategic Fund Grant for their new location in Delaware — a sign of support for the jobs that the new center will bring to the area. 

Amazon had previously shared their plans to invest $50 million in equipment to a massive new 3.7 million square foot fulfillment center and create as many as 1,000 new full-time positions there. 

Delaware Economic Development Authority chair and Division of Small Business director Damian DeStefano said that the $4.5 million will be doled out gradually as Amazon fulfills certain milestones. Delaware is being careful to build in contingency plans, should the retailer not complete their plans within an allotted amount of time. 

While there is great potential for benefits from the addition of the center in Delaware, skeptics do worry that it might not be all positive. 

Ted Pankowski, who attended a recent council meeting, voiced concerns over Amazon’s potential hiring choices, saying that the company may not hire local union workers, which could harm the local economy and hardworking Delaware residents.

State Rep. John Kowalko added to Pankowski’s criticism of Amazon, accusing the company of being less than transparent throughout the years.

“Amazon, one of the wealthiest companies in the world, is asking Delaware for a $4.5 million state taxpayer grant,” Kowalko said, during the council meeting. “This request displays the unmitigated gall and greed of Jeff Bezos and his company.”

Amazon’s plan is to open their new Delaware site sometime between late 2021 and 2022.

Amazon’s grant application stated that the company will be creating a range of positions available for new hires, from fulfillment associate to area manager, with positions ranging in pay from $31,000 to $33,000 for hourly employees and roughly $60,000 for salaried employees.