Candice Williams

The Detroit News

Michigan is giving Amazon $4.5 million for its previously announced fulfillment center in Shelby Township.

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved the request Tuesday for the grant, which will help create 1,025 new jobs and bring a capital investment of up to $40 million into the northern Macomb County community, officials said.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp., which oversees the strategic fund, recommended approval because online retail giant demonstrated a need for funding for road improvements and to offset costs related to hiring workers.

The grant also would “make the case that Michigan is the prime location for this project,” according to the staff in its recommendation.

Earlier this month, Amazon confirmed it would create 1,000 full-time jobs when it opens a 1-million-square-foot fulfillment center in Shelby Township next year. Employees at the fulfillment centers will pick, pack and ship large items such as gardening tools, sporting equipment and household décor.

Since 2016, Amazon has announced three fulfillment centers in Michigan and a corporate office in Detroit. With the fulfillment center in Shelby Township, Amazon’s workforce in Michigan will grow to 3,500.

In December, the Michigan Strategic Fund awarded Amazon a $7.5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to create 1,000 jobs for a fulfillment center in Livonia. Officials have said they hope to have that center in operation by this holiday season.

Amazon also received a second Michigan Business Development Program Grant award in June for $5 million to create 1,600 jobs and bring $140 million in investment to Romulus.

The fulfillment center in Shelby Township will be on the site of the former Visteon Corp. auto parts plant at 23 Mile and Mound.

Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said last week the township is looking forward to the new tax revenue and “successful reclamation of this former industrial plant.”

cwilliams@detroitnews.com

Twitter: CWilliams_DN