CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – From the day Amazon announced it would build a distribution center in Clarksville in August 2021, local, state and company officials have talked about the facility bringing 500 jobs to Clarksville.
Turns out, though, that was only the minimum.
The company raised eyebrows earlier this month when it told Clarksville Now it would be filling not 500 but 1,500 positions at the Clarksville center. That figure has since been confirmed by Amazon and local officials, and the additional 1,000 jobs issue was discussed Wednesday morning at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board meeting.
The company had committed to 500 jobs for their state and local incentive packages, but they now plan to hire 1,500 in the next couple of months, and that process has begun, said Josh Ward, vice president of Industrial Development.
Ward told the board that on the first day of the online application period, Amazon had 100 applications. He said Amazon officials told him they’ve never seen activity this strong for the opening of a distribution center. They will open for business later this month.
With 1,500 jobs, this will make Amazon Clarksville’s third-largest employer, Ward said. Also, while previous projections had been that Clarksville would be adding 3,800 jobs by 2030, that projection is now closer to 5,000 new jobs by 2030.
“We’re excited for Amazon; and we’re monitoring the labor market to make sure everyone is OK,” Ward said.
Types of jobs, how to apply
Amazon told Clarksville Now that jobs will be available for a wide variety of candidates, ranging from entry-level to general manager.
Candidates are required to be at least 18 years old, and most of the jobs involved processing freight, and receiving, sorting and packing products up to 50 pounds. Applicants can also obtain training on powered industrial trucks, and other lift equipment such as electric pallet jacks and work-assisted vehicles.
Applicants can go to hiring.amazon.com. The jobs are posted only when positions are available, so Clarksville openings may pop up and then not appear once they have enough applications. Amazon will be uploading positions in groups of 120 labor orders. If there are no positions available, candidates can text JOBEVENT to 31432 for job opening updates.
Qualified candidates can find manager positions by going to Amazon’s main website.
Candidates who cannot fill out an application online can meet with representatives at the American Job Center, 523 Madison St., Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
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Jeff Matthews contributed to this article.
