Because the fulfillment center activities in Kernersville will be very similar to those in Kannapolis, Lighty said local residents could apply for openings in Kannapolis to get an earlier exposure to the work demands, and then apply for a transfer back here.

Lighty said the job training will be handled at the fulfillment center with the assistance of local community colleges.

Once the equipment is in the center, employees will be tasked with handling inventory “to the point it is available to go live on our website for prepping, packaging and out the door,” Lighty said.

Effect on delivery?

Triad consumers may not benefit from same-day delivery services — at least at first — from having the Amazon fulfillment center in their back yard.

However, it likely will increase the odds of receiving a delivery within 24 hours, depending on the products being purchased and what kind of goods the center will keep in constant inventory.

Lighty said that consumer demand and Amazon’s algorithm network help dictate where products are inventoried. Oftentimes, products are fulfilled at the site closest to the manufacturing and production sites of suppliers.