(Pasco, WA) -- Amazon is officially announcing plans to open two new sites in Pasco across the street from each other at 1351 S. Road 40 East and 1202 S. Road 40 East. The new facilities are scheduled to open in 2022 with more than 1,500 full-time employees between the two, who will help pick, pack, and ship customer orders to communities across the Tri-Cities, Washington State, and beyond, and, the company says, receive an average starting wage of $18 an hour and comprehensive benefits that begin on the employee's first day.

“We are proud of the partnership that we have built with Amazon to locate these new operations facilities in our community,” said Pasco Mayor, Saul Martinez in a press release. “This will have a long-term impact on Pasco."

“The City of Pasco welcomes these new Amazon facilities to our diverse and growing business community,” said Pasco City Manager, Dave Zabell in a statement. “Amazon brings great jobs with attractive pay and benefit packages as well as pathways to longer-term careers. These facilities will provide opportunity and help working families across our region.”

Amazon says employees at the over 1,080,000 square-foot Eastside facility will fulfill customer orders such as household goods, books, toys, and technology. Employees at the over 1,049,000 square-foot Westside facility will play an integral role in fulfilling larger items like paper goods, pet food and supplies, patio furniture, baby strollers, and outdoor sports equipment like kayaks, skis, and fishing gear.

“Next year we will begin hiring for a wide range of roles, everything from receiving and stowing inventory to shipping customer orders and supporting network logistics,” added Boler Davis. “Amazon offers opportunities for professional development and encourages current employees as well as interested candidates to consider building a longer-term career with us.”

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