Amazon has announced plans to build a centralized air hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG) in Hebron, Kentucky, to support its growing fleet of Prime Air cargo planes. At the site when it opens, the company expects to create more than 2,000 new jobs.

Amazon has been an active member of the business community in Kentucky for nearly 20 years, employing more than 10,000 people in full-time jobs across 11 fulfillment center locations.

“As we considered places for the long-term home for our air hub operations, Hebron quickly rose to the top of the list with a large, skilled workforce, centralized location with great connectivity to our nearby fulfillment locations, and an excellent quality of living for employees,” said Dave Clark, Amazon Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations. “We feel strongly that with these qualities as a place to do business, our investments will support Amazon and customers well into the future.”

Last year, Amazon entered into agreements with two carriers to lease 40 dedicated cargo airplanes to support Amazon Prime members with fast, free shipping. Today, 16 of those planes are in service for Amazon customers with more planes rolling out over time. Amazon’s Prime Air hub at CVG will support Amazon’s dedicated fleet of Prime Air cargo planes by loading, unloading and sorting packages.

“Amazon’s Prime Air hub promises to revolutionize the fulfillment industry worldwide,” said Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin. “Kentucky’s ideal location, proven workforce and an already extensive shipping and logistics industry have been the backbone of our relationship with Amazon for nearly 20 years. This new project will pay dividends to both the company and our state, and we are truly grateful for the jobs and economic impact it will bring to the commonwealth.”

“We’ve worked hard to ensure CVG is a great place to do business,” said Candace S. McGraw, CEO of the CVG Airport. “Amazon recognized those efforts with plans to build a top-in-class air cargo hub at our airport. A vibrant airport improves the economic vitality of the region and adding thousands of new jobs through establishing this hub at CVG will certainly be transformational for the local economy and local businesses.”