Jason Williams and Scott Wartman

Cincinnati Enquirer

CINCINNATI -- Online retail giant Amazon has kicked off plans for a worldwide cargo hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, the largest investment ever there.

Seattle-based Amazon has committed to invest $1.49 billion and bring 2,700 new jobs. The deal would top Delta Air Lines' 1993 million hub expansion at the airport if Amazon follows through on its commitment.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal," airport CEO Candace McGraw said. "It's truly transformational."

Cincinnati/North Kentucky, which is situated over the Ohio state line in Hebron, Ky., beat out the Wilmington Air Park in central Ohio. The airport, also known by its three-letter designator CVG, also topped Wilmington for international shipping giant DHL's North American hub several years ago.

Amazon raised hopes in Wilmington in 2015 when the online retailer started a pilot program to test whether that would make a good location for a hub.

“Obviously this is disappointing and we will be working with local officials to help respond to any workers who may be impacted," said Emmalee Kalmbach, a spokeswoman for Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Amazon has not yet set a date for the groundbreaking, nor has the company set a timetable for adding the jobs. Amazon's air cargo carrier, Amazon Prime Air, plans to start operating some flights in April.

Amazon began inquiring about two months ago, local officials said, and Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin played a key role in the deal by sitting in meetings with Amazon officials to craft a state incentive package.

In the end, the state, Boone County and the airport moved quickly to lock in Amazon, which will receive a $40 million state and local tax incentive and another $5 million from the airport. For its part, Amazon has promised 2,700 new jobs, 600 of which will be full-time. It has entered a lease of at least 50 years with CVG, where Amazon plans to build a hub every bit as impressive as DHL's massive North American hub here.

The jobs will pay an average hourly wage of $26 with benefits, state officials said.

Amazon will build several facilities on nearly 920 acres of land, including a 3 million-square-foot sorting facility and a 350,000 square-foot loading dock. It also plans to build enough ramp space to house 100 cargo jets, more than what DHL has. Amazon already has a sorting facility near the airport, but officials weren't certain whether work there will complement efforts on the airport grounds.

The deal further establishes the aiport as a major air cargo hub. DHL's growth has established it as the eighth-largest air cargo hub for volume in North America.

Reporter Jesse Balmert contributed.