Kentucky landed a lucrative project Tuesday as e-commerce giant Amazon announced plans to build a worldwide air cargo hub at a northern Kentucky airport south of Cincinnati in a nearly $1.5 billion investment expected to create 2,700 jobs.
Gov. Matt Bevin called it a "transformative and exciting venture," and said the Amazon shipping hub will strengthen the Bluegrass state's position as a top global logistics center.
Amazon, which already employs thousands at distribution centers in the state, deepened its ties with Kentucky by choosing Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport as the place to support its growing fleet of Prime Air cargo planes.
"This new project will pay dividends to both the company and our state, and we are truly grateful for the jobs and economic impact it will bring to the commonwealth," Bevin said in a statement.
Seattle-based Amazon said the airport at Hebron, Kentucky, quickly "rose to the top of the list" of contenders for the air hub due to the area's workforce, centralized location and proximity to regional distribution centers.
"We feel strongly that with these qualities as a place to do business, our investments will support Amazon and customers well into the future," said Dave Clark, Amazon's senior vice president of worldwide operations.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.