Amazon.com, Inc. Tuesday announced plans to open a 1 million-square-foot fulfillment center in Baltimore, bringing more than 1,000 full-time jobs to the area.

"We are proud to be bringing more than 1,000 full-time jobs with great wages and benefits to Baltimore," said Mike Roth, Amazon's vice president of North America operations. "These are full-time jobs that offer company stock awards, 401(k) and programs like Career Choice where Amazon will pre-pay the cost of tuition for employees to go back to school. We are grateful to the state and local elected officials who supported Amazon coming to Maryland and we look forward to being a part of the community."



Amazon fulfillment center jobs pay on average 30 percent more than traditional retail jobs, according to a company statement. Gov. Martin O'Malley praised the move.

"I'm thrilled that Amazon is joining our community of businesses that surround the Port of Baltimore," he said in a statement. "We know Amazon's decision was based on a solid business plan, and we look forward to working with them as they continue to expand here in Maryland." At the facility, Amazon employees will pick, pack and ship books, electronics and consumer goods, the company said.



"I am excited that Amazon will open a fulfillment center in Baltimore City," said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "I am proud of the City's efforts, working in partnership with the State, Duke Realty and Amazon to bring this fulfillment center and jobs to Baltimore City."



The warehouse will be located along Holabird Avenue as part of the Chesapeake Commerce Center, according to the Baltimore Business Journal.



Amazon has no large warehouse in the Washington-Baltimore area, according to the journal, and large tracts of land near the District are scarce. Duke Realty is building the project on the 184-acre GM assembly plant site on Broening Highway off Interstate 95. It purchased the land near Dundalk in 2006, according to the Baltimore Business Journal. The site sits near the Port of Baltimore in the southeast part of the city.