SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WNCN) — Amazon’s newest distribution center is expected to have a significant impact in Johnston County.
“This is this is tremendous for Smithfield. We have been waiting for it for several years,” Smithfield Mayor Andy Moore told CBS 17.
Spanning more than 620,000 square feet, Amazon’s new distribution center will do more than just take up space in town. Mayor Moore is excited for 1,000 people the company plans to employ to run operations at the facility.
“I think it’s beyond words, right but they have already exceeded their expectations. They initially told us about 500 people,” Moore said.
Those 1,000 people will work along side robots and automated systems to fulfill orders within minutes. With a facility the size of 11 football fields, Amazon expects 1 million items to be sorted in Smithfield every day. On Prime Day, they expect that to more than double.
Two months into opening, General Manager Eric Arnold says they’re only running at about half their capacity. More shipments will move through as more people are hired.