Janelle Irwin Taylor
Lakeland City Commissioners will consider signing a nearly $1 million-per-year lease with Amazon for air cargo operations.
The agreement, at stake during the Commission’s Monday meeting, would allow Amazon to lease nearly 50 acres from the city for its operations at Lakeland Linder International Airport. Talks for the proposed expansion began in 2017 and the project would create up to 1,000 jobs, according to a City of Lakeland tweet.
Amazon could later expand its facility onto another 62-acres.
Amazon is also planning a 223,000 square-foot facility with two smaller adjacent buildings as part of its air cargo operations.
If approved, the project would be the e-commerce giant’s largest facility in the Southeast.
75K gallons of fuel will need to be added to the airport; plans are in place. The facility at Lakeland Linder will be Amazon’s largest facility in the southeast US. Tony Delgado says “This is a great day for the City.” #LKLD
— City of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) May 17, 2019
“This is a game changer for the airport,” said Lakeland Linder International Airport Director Gene Conrad.
“This is a game changer for the airport,” an emotional Airport Director Gene Conrad says. #lkld pic.twitter.com/j6guUWxMTP
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) May 17, 2019
The proposed lease would span up to 50-years. The initial term is for 20 years with three 10-year extensions available if Amazon invests $25 million into the site. If approved, Amazon planes could begin operating at the airport next summer.
The city of Lakeland is proposing economic incentives for Amazon under the project proposal up to $225,000 contingent on creating jobs paying at least $47,000.
The airport would have to add an additional five fuel tanks to accommodate Amazon planes. They’d also be required to make some runway improvements.
Construction could start as early as July.
Amazon Cargo Facility due to start construction on July 3rd with an estimated 12-month completion date once the project starts – WOOT-WOOT! #LKLD
— City of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) May 17, 2019
The location is opportune. Amazon already has a fulfillment center in Lakeland and another in Ruskin.
