Amazon announces plans for first Central Oregon delivery station

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Amid efforts to expand operations in rural areas across the United States, Amazon announced plans on Tuesday to build its first delivery station in Central Oregon.

In a press release, the company announced it closed on land along East Antler Avenue in Redmond.

The site is expected to speed up deliveries for Central Oregon customers while bringing job opportunities to the area.

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“We appreciate the investment Amazon is making in Redmond and the confidence they have in our future growth,” said Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch. “Their announcement acknowledges Redmond as a great place to do business and illustrates the importance of the working partnership between the city, Redmond Economic Development Inc., and private developers.”

The expansion in Redmond is part of Amazon’s last-mile delivery network, a $4 billion initiative to enhance service in remote areas across the U.S. The initiative will expand delivery to more than 13,000 ZIP codes.

According to Amazon, the last-mile delivery program has reduced delivery times as much as 50% in rural communities where some logistics providers have traditionally pulled back service.

The company says each delivery station, such as the future Redmond site, creates an average of 170 jobs.

“Amazon’s plans in Redmond reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in communities and creating good jobs. We’re excited to be part of Redmond’s future and contribute to a region that values innovation, partnership, and opportunity,”said Easton Craft, manager of economic development policy at Amazon.

Since 2010, the company has invested more than $37 billion in Oregon, according to Amazon, noting it has contributed $22 billion to the state’s gross domestic product and has created 12,000 direct jobs, more than 46,000 in-direct jobs and serves more than 5,500 small and medium-sized sellers in the state.

An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to KOIN 6 News this marks Central Oregon’s first Amazon warehouse, with a similar facility in Klamath Falls and another coming to Tillamook. In a few weeks, Amazon also plans to open PDX8 in Woodburn, which will be the company's largest fulfillment center in the Pacific Northwest.