RUSKIN — Construction is nearing completion on Amazon's fulfillment center in southeastern Hillsborough County, which could start processing online shoppers' orders this week.
Amazon officials haven't announced an opening date, but security guards at the site said it is scheduled to become operational on Wednesday. The parking lot had dozens of cars on Monday.
The 1 million-square-foot warehouse near College Avenue and 30th Street NE in Ruskin is Amazon's second fulfillment center in Florida. The first, at 1760 County Line Road in Polk County, started processing orders in late August.
The estimated 1,000 workers at the Ruskin warehouse will pick, pack and ship smaller items such as books and CDs to customers everywhere. At the Lakeland warehouse, employees process larger items such as TVs and kayaks.
The Ruskin center continues to hire employees and is expected to hire hundreds more as the holiday shopping season approaches. Pay starts at about $10.75 an hour.
Once the fulfillment center opens, prospective job candidates will be able to apply at the site's recruiting office. For now, all applicants must apply online at workatamazonfulfillment.com.
The establishment of fulfillment centers in Ruskin and Polk County required Amazon to start collecting sales tax on purchases made in Florida. It also created hundreds of jobs that exceed minimum wage.
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