CHAMPLAIN — A rural Amazon delivery station is coming to the Champlain Industrial Park after the company bought over 17 acres of land to develop there.
The sale was announced Wednesday afternoon in a news release from TDC — a key driver of economic growth and business development in the North Country — which sold the 17.76 acres of undeveloped land to Amazon for the anticipated development of a rural delivery station.
The delivery station is expected to bring “investment to the community” and create “local jobs” for residents when it is complete.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
“We are proud to have the opportunity to facilitate the development of Amazon’s newest rural delivery station in Champlain,” president and CEO of TDC Danielle King said. “This investment is a testament to our region’s industrial growth and strategic location. The new facility will create jobs, provide tax revenue for our community, and see direct expenditures with additional economic spin-off, all boosting our local economy.”
Of the sale, Glendowlyn Thames, Amazon’s head of economic development in New York, said, “This land purchase in Champlain marks an important step toward expanding Amazon’s logistics network in rural New York.”
“Once operational, our delivery station will not only help us better serve customers in the North Country region but also create quality jobs with competitive wages and benefits,” Thames said. “We’re looking forward to working with local officials and community members as we design a facility that supports the economic growth of Champlain while reflecting Amazon’s commitment to operational excellence and environmental responsibility.”
EXPANSION
According to its website, TDC “develops industrial parks, markets the region for new business, and works to retain and expand the local industry.”
TDC said it initially acquired the properties that comprise the Champlain Industrial Park to create a strategic mass of acreage for development opportunities in a key gateway to the U.S. market.
TDC said the park’s proximity to the Canadian border and Port of Champlain, the second-busiest Northeast international border crossing, have made it an ideal operational location for distribution to regional rural consumers and as a point in the global warehousing and logistics chain.
The park is already home to A.N. Deringer, Dynamic Warehouse, Imperial Optical, Northern Comfort, Universal Interiors and FedEx.
“The town of Champlain welcomes Amazon to Champlain Industrial Park,” town of Champlain Supervisor Tom Trombley said. “This commercial development is such a positive movement for economic growth for both the town and village of Champlain. The town congratulates and supports TDC and the village in this announcement and we look forward to the benefits this will bring to our area.”
According to Amazon, the company has already invested more than $41.5 billion in New York state since 2010, including infrastructure and compensation to employees. In the process, Amazon has also created more than 47,000 jobs across the state and continues to invest in rural communities like Champlain.
“We welcome the news of Amazon’s acquisition of property from TDC in the Champlain Industrial Park and are proud to have the opportunity to partner in the development of Amazon’s new rural delivery station,” village of Champlain Mayor Janet McFetridge said. “This investment reflects Champlain’s strategic location as a hub for logistics and commerce and continued growth of our local economy. We look forward to the new opportunities this project will bring for our residents and the broader region.”
CONSTRUCTION
The new facility is being constructed by Montante Construction.
Asked if there was a timeline for when construction is set to begin, TDC said they did not have one but “Montante Construction has been working with Champlain to receive the appropriate permits and approvals and are eager to get shovels in the ground.”
In the meantime, local regional leaders, including the North Country Chamber of Commerce, applauded the selection of the Champlain Industrial Park as the location for the construction of Amazon’s new warehouse and distribution facility.
“Deals with companies such as Amazon are complex and always highly competitive,” Chamber President Garry Douglas said. “We therefore applaud the great work done by TDC along with the Village of Champlain along with the Town to bring this investment to our area. It’s especially good to see such development in Champlain, a community with a long and substantial connection to shipping and logistics with a workforce that’s attuned to such activity. and we of course congratulate Amazon on making the right choice and we look forward to welcoming them to the North Country. Onward and upward!”
‘ENHANCE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE’
“It is exciting news that Amazon has selected Champlain as the site for a new distribution center and warehouse as part of their initiative to invest $4 billion in rural communities that will create 100,000 jobs worldwide,” Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, said. “This will continue to expand our region’s industrial growth, and the proximity to the Canadian border builds upon the North Country as a global supply chain leader. Congratulations to The Development Corp (TDC) for bringing this project to life and all the local officials for their contributions and support for this endeavor.”
State Sen. Dan Stec, R,C-Queensbury, also praised TDC for making the sale happen.
“The North Country has tremendous economic potential and TDC has worked tirelessly to create opportunities in our region,” Stec said. “The sale of 17 acres in the industrial park to Amazon will bring needed jobs and revenue to the local economy and enhance our quality of life for years to come.”