Amazon to open delivery station on West Plains

AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The Amazon footprint on the West Plains just got a bit bigger with the announcement that the online retailer plans to open another nearly 200,000 square foot facility called a delivery station.

Located at 11901 West McFarlane Road the entity will be one of 250 nationwide whose role is to cover the “last mile” in an order from Amazon’s massive 1.8 million square-foot fulfillment center located on Geiger Blvd. and along Interstate 90.

Packages from the building currently under construction and set to open in fall 2021 are shipped to a delivery station from neighboring Amazon fulfillment and sortation centers, loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers.

“We are excited that Amazon is expanding its footprint in Spokane County,” 3rd Dist. Spokane County Commissioner, Al French said. “This new Amazon Delivery Station will bring hundreds of additional jobs, revenue and growth to the County during a critical time when many have experienced job loss due to the pandemic.”

This facility will create hundreds of full and part-time jobs, all paying at least $15 per hour and offering a variety of benefits packages from day one. Additional employment will come from hundreds of driver opportunities through Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners and Amazon Flex. 

“Anytime an employer chooses the West Plains area for expansion or relocation, it’s very welcome news,” Washington Rep. Jenny Graham (R – Spokane) said. “Amazon’s proposed Airway Heights facility is encouraging as more people seek full-time employment.”

Other Amazon facilities include a sizeable building under construction in Spokane Valley as well as an AMXL delivery station and Amazon Hub Locker+ location currently in operation. This new AMXL delivery station and Amazon Hub Locker+ is location located at 2700 E. Ferry Avenue.

Since 2010, Amazon has created more than 80,000 jobs in Washington and invested more than $98.8 billion across the state, including infrastructure and compensation.

Paul Delaney is a retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at pauldelaney53@comcast.net.