

ROBBINSVILLE — Amazon.com will open a 1 million-square-foot mega-warehouse in the township in early 2014, the online retailer announced this morning.

The warehouse, one of two planned for the state, will bring 700 full-time jobs and more than $22 million in tax revenue for the township, school district and Mercer County, township officials said.

"Phase one of Amazon's new state-of-the-art fulfillment center in

Robbinsville will spur growth and investment for the Garden State and

our local economies while bringing meaningful job creation opportunities

for New Jersey's families, " Gov. Chris Christie said in a news release.

At the fulfillment center Amazon employees will pick, pack and ship small items, including books and DVDs. The full-time jobs pay about 30 percent higher than traditional retail jobs and include full-time benefits and stock grants, the retailer said.

In October, Mayor Dave Fried confirmed talks with Amazon officials about bringing a warehouse to the township.

The township is reviewing plans for a 1 million-square-foot warehouse at the Matrix Business Park at 7A, located at the intersection of the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 195, which Amazon would occupy.

Robbinsville also approved a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, under which warehouse builder and owner KTR Capital Partners will pay a fixed $14 million over 20 years instead of property taxes.

Amazon would take occupancy in early 2014 with a total investment exceeding $200 million.

"We understand Amazon could have chosen anywhere in New Jersey to build its new distribution center, and we are fortunate to have the infrastructure and resources to meet their needs and consummate one of the most sought-after business partnerships in recent memory,” Fried said in the release.

"Amazon's decision to move to Mercer County is a prime indicator of the value of this central New Jersey region," Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes said. "Amazon is forecasting hiring for hundreds of positions, and I'm confident they will find hardworking, desirable candidates for those jobs right here in Mercer County."

When Amazon began planning to build warehouses in New Jersey the company also sought a two-year sales tax holiday. Under federal law, retailers without a physical presence in a given state are not required to collect that state's sales tax, but the opening the warehouses would obligate the company to collect the tax.

The federal law has drawn the ire of in-state merchants who claim they are at a disadvantage because they must charge the tax. Shoppers are supposed to pay a so-called "use tax" in lieu of sales taxes on out-of-state purchases when they file their income tax returns, but few actually follow suit.

In May the state announced that Amazon had agreed to begin charging New Jersey customers a 7 percent sales tax in July, whether the warehouses are built are not.

"We are excited to open our first fulfillment center in New Jersey, bringing jobs and investment to Robbinsville Township," said Mike Roth, vice president of Amazon's North American operations. "We appreciate the support of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Business Action Team, and other state and local leaders who have worked with us to find this site."

Contact Mike Davis at (609) 989-5708 or mdavis@njtimes.com.

Previous coverage:

• Robbinsville entices Amazon intermediary by upping PILOT incentive plan

• Editorial: Amazon warehouse deal would be welcomed delivery for Robbinsville

• Amazon is close to signing warehouse deal with Robbinsville

• Robbinsville township council votes to set up a 20-year tax incentive for construction of mega-warehouse

• Amazon.com to begin collecting sales tax on N.J. orders next year

• Amazon.com in talks to open 2 N.J. warehouses

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