Amazon is actively hiring for more than 1,000 full-time positions ahead of the opening of its new 800,000-square-foot robotics fulfillment center in Elkhart County, marking another step in the company’s continued expansion across Indiana.
The new facility will support the “first mile” of Amazon’s fulfillment process, where employees will be responsible for receiving inventory, picking and packing items, and preparing customer orders for shipment. Roles span a wide range of specialties, from hourly warehouse jobs to advanced positions in robotics maintenance, safety, procurement, controls engineers and human resources.
“We’re just thrilled to be a part of the Elkhart community and to continue our infrastructure investment in Indiana,” said Andre Woodson, a spokesperson for Amazon. “People are going to get an opportunity to work in a technologically advanced environment.”
Woodson speaks about the company’s ability to attract top talent despite workforce shortage.
Amazon has not disclosed how many of the positions have already been filled but said it is seeing strong interest from local job seekers. The company expects operations at the fulfillment center to begin within the next couple of months, with a separate, smaller “last mile” delivery station near the Elkhart Municipal Airport scheduled to open next month.
“My advice for interested candidates would be to check frequently, ideally daily. We’re going to be hiring on a first come first serve basis,” Woodson said. “Timing is going to be key here and new opportunities are going to regularly become available.”
Starting wages for most roles average more than $19 per hour, with benefits beginning on day one. Amazon offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with a company match, and up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave. Through its Career Choice program, the company also pays full college tuition and provides access to other upskilling opportunities, including training in IT, data analysis and industrial maintenance.
“For all these roles, we value a mix of technical expertise and soft skills like problem-solving, adaptability and teamwork,” Woodson noted. “Many positions also benefit from certifications in areas like Six Sigma or specific robotics platforms.”
The Elkhart site is part of Amazon’s broader logistics network in Indiana, where the company now operates 37 facilities and employs more than 26,000 people. Since 2010, Amazon says it has invested $25.5 billion in the state through infrastructure and wages.
Amazon is regionalizing its U.S. network to speed up deliveries by placing key infrastructure like fulfillment centers, delivery stations and data centers closer to customers. In this way, products are stored at the fulfillment center, then moved through an air hub and sortation center before arriving at a delivery station and, finally, the customer’s doorstep.
Woodson said Amazon views Elkhart as a prime location thanks to its ability to enhance delivery speed and its strong transportation infrastructure, which aligns well with the company’s logistics needs.
“We’re also impressed by the region’s skilled workforce and the tremendous support we’ve received from local officials and community leaders,” Woodson said. “Indiana has consistently proven to be a great partner for Amazon and Elkhart strengthens our presence in the state while allowing us to better serve our customers.”
TIF Support and Incentives
Amazon’s decision to open the massive fulfillment center in Elkhart County has not only brought a wave of hiring but also triggered a series of public infrastructure investments aimed at supporting the facility’s long-term success.
While the project is expected to generate significant economic benefits, it also required coordination between developers and local government to deliver critical road, utility and site improvements in time for launch.
Amazon’s fulfillment center sits outside city limits, so the project received significant support from Elkhart County, including tax increment financing (TIF) incentives for infrastructure and utilities. The facility was initially constructed by Ambrose Construction, a private developer, rather than Amazon. It was later sold to a different developer.
Chris Stager, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County, said the company received a 10-year real property tax phase-in tied to a $93.7 million investment in the facility. Amazon is required to employ at least 100 people by the end of 2025 to meet the agreement’s terms.
Roughly $9 million in TIF funds were also used to build the Jackie Walorski Parkway, which serves the Elkhart East Industrial Park where Amazon is located. Natasha Weisenbeck, redevelopment program coordinator for the county, said developers paid upfront for utility extensions and will be reimbursed up to 70% of those costs using revenue generated from the TIF district. That repayment is expected to be completed by 2033.
The county also worked with the Indiana Toll Road Concession Co. to accelerate construction of a new connector road and new toll road ramps at Exit 96. Though the roadwork was already budgeted, Amazon’s timeline prompted faster execution.
“We had already budgeted to build that road before 2025,” Weisenbeck said. “Amazon coming into the picture just accelerated that project a bit.”
Housing Development Underway
The arrival of Amazon has also accelerated key infrastructure improvements and prompted new housing development as the county anticipates population and workforce growth.
According to Mike Huber, development services director for the city of Elkhart, approximately 400 new multifamily housing units and 100 for-sale homes are expected to be added to the market in the next two years. Projects include the Flats at Pine Creek (250 units), 515 East (48 units), and the Boulder Run subdivision (86 lots), along with ongoing construction in the River District.
A recent housing needs assessment showed that only about 77% of people working in Elkhart County live there. To increase that number by just 5% over the next decade, officials estimate the county will need to add roughly 8,000 housing units.
“Factoring in other demand sources beyond workforce needs, the County Housing Study outlined a total demand of over 26,000 housing units over the next 10 years,” Huber said.
Despite ongoing workforce shortages within the region, Amazon remains optimistic about filling roles at its new Elkhart facility by leaning on a broad mix of incentives and long-term opportunities for employees.
“We’re super confident in our ability to attract top talent, even in tight labor markets. Our approach goes beyond just competitive pay,” Woodson said. “Innovative programs like Career Choice pays college tuition for employees. So now we’re not just offering jobs, we’re investing in careers and the community.”
Applicants interested in positions at the new Elkhart facility can visit amazon.com/localjobs or text JOBEVENT to 31432 to receive updates.