New Business

Project Force: Amazon

Amazon announced its first fulfillment center in the state of North Dakota in Fargo. The new facility, which is anticipated to launch in fall 2021, will create 500 full-time jobs with industry leading pay and comprehensive benefits starting on day one.

At the new 1.3 million square-foot fulfillment center, employees will pack and ship large customer purchases such as sports equipment, patio furniture, fishing rods, pet food, kayaks, bicycles and other household goods.

Amazon is creating 500 jobs with the ripple effect creating an additional 320 jobs in the regional economy, for a total of 820 jobs.

Behind the scenes…bringing Amazon to the greater FM region.

Successfully attracting Amazon to our region required “speed to market”. Amazon had a critical start date, and the EDC and City of Fargo had three months to coordinate regulatory, permitting, engineering and other requirements.

Adhering to all laws, codes, and ordinances, we were able to get them in the ground early. During the project, the City of Fargo staff worked with Senator Hoeven’s office to manage a critical wetlands issue that could have stopped the project. Hoeven’s team coordinated efforts with the Army Corp of Engineers and the wetlands permit was approved in eight days versus the normal 45-60 days process.

Partnerships matter and this project came to fruition thanks to strong partnerships with our city leaders and Federal delegation. It’s more proof that the strength of collaboration and commitment creates a business friendly environment.

Tooled Up to Find the Perfect Commercial Property

Location One Information Systems (or LOIS), an online commercial property database, allows any prospective business to look for available properties. With the ability to layer on demographic and regional data, a prospective buyer can find the property that best fits their needs.

“We appreciate our relationship with the Great Fargo Moorhead EDC and the ability to have the most up to date listing information available to potential businesses looking to come to our market. The LOIS system provides great demographic information for us when recruiting new businesses to the area,” Claire O. Smith, COMEX President.

*Source for Impact Data: Bangsund, Dean A. 2019-2020. Analysis of Recent GFMEDC Business Expansions on FM Area Economy
**Source for Impact Data: Bangsund, Dean A. 2020. Analysis of Amazon on FM Area Economy