Eastern Washington will soon be home to Amazon’s first robotics-based fulfillment center, creating more than 1,500 full-time jobs with benefits starting on day one.

Amazon currently employs more than 50,000 people across the state at its headquarters in Seattle and facilities supporting customer fulfillment in DuPont, Kent and Sumner. The company said it invested more than $37 billion in Washington State, including infrastructure and compensation to its teams from 2011-2017.

“We’re excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Spokane and to continue innovating in our home state,” said Mark Stewart, Amazon’s Vice President of North America Customer Fulfillment.

Amazon employees at the more than 600,000-square-foot fulfillment center will work alongside Amazon Robotics to pick, pack and ship items to customers such as games, housewares, school supplies and pet toys.

“More than 1,500 jobs are coming to Spokane thanks to this important project,” Governor Jay Inslee said. “Congratulations to Amazon and all the local partners who have worked so hard to bring these exciting job opportunities to the region.”

Full-time employees at Amazon receive competitive hourly wages and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) and company stock awards starting on day one. The company also offers up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave and benefits such as Leave Share and Ramp Back.

Amazon offers full-time employees programs like Career Choice, where the company will pre-pay up to 95 percent of tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon.

The project is being developed by Trammell Crow Company and was made possible by Greater Spokane Incorporated, The West Plains/Airport Public Development Authority, Spokane County and Spokane International Airport.