Amazon has taken another step toward edging out its third-party delivery partners.
On Wednesday, the mega online merchant announced plans to develop an air hub in Hebron, Kentucky, to support its Prime Air cargo planes. The move will add 2,000 jobs to the 10,000 Amazon already supports in its 11 fulfillment centers in the state.
The location, which will cost $1.49 billion, is central for connecting to major U.S. cities, and its proximity to DHL operations will allow for easy package transfer. The new 900-acre hub is also near UPS’ 1,220 acre Louisville, Kentucky, site.
Delivery is a key focus for the retailer, which announced plans to add 40 additional Boeing 767-300 cargo planes to its fleet of 4,000 trailer trucks. Amazon is also going high tech with programs like Amazon Prime Air drones, which made its first delivery in December; the company’s Uber-like app, which capitalizes on the gig economy to create a fleet of on-demand freight carriers; and its flying warehouse, a distribution center to service the drone fleet.
Read more at Business Insider.