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Amazon announced Tuesday it intends to open its new delivery station at Olive and Clovis avenues in Fresno this fall, creating 500 full- and part-time jobs starting at $17.25 per hour.

The 183,091 “last-mile” facility will be the second such station in Fresno that will prepare customer orders for deliveries around the city. It is expected to reduce vehicular impacts in town, said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer in a news release.

“I am so pleased to welcome the Amazon Last Mile facility to Fresno, creating hundreds of full-time jobs, and more local economic opportunity is great news for Fresno residents.  Those who are unemployed – or underemployed – will now have another avenue to good-paying work that includes healthcare and other benefits.  Additionally, this southeast Fresno distribution center will put Amazon closer to its customers, which should help reduce traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

In addition to health care benefits including dental and vision as well as paid time off, Amazon employees are also eligible to participate in the Career Choice program after 90 days of employment. Benefits include fully-funded college tuition, industry licenses and certifications that could lead to more in-demand jobs.’

Amazon recently announced partnerships with Clovis Community College and Fresno State to provide employees access to education with fully-funded tuition.

The Business Journal first reported on Amazon’s plan for the nearly 44-acre site in October 2021. About half of the workforce would be delivery employees driving Amazon vans. There would also be about 70 “Flex” employees — private contractors using personal vehicles for delivery.