Amazon to open corporate office in Detroit, promises more high-tech jobs
Seattle-based online retail giant Amazon has announced its plans to open a new technology hub in Detroit, where teams will work more on software development. The new corporate office to be located in downtown Detroit will focus on creating more full-time technology jobs.
“We are focused on hiring in the state and look forward to being a part of the community, professionally and personally,” said Peter Faricy, vice president for Amazon Marketplace in a press note posted on the official website of the City of Detroit.
Amazon unveiled its plans to open the technology hub in Detroit by early 2016. There are currently over 100 employees at Amazon’s Detroit office located on West Jefferson Avenue. The office does software development, engineering and advertising sales.
Amazon has posted job openings for its new Detroit office, and is inviting young professionals to join its team. Faricy reiterated the company will concentrate on bringing in “full-time, high-tech jobs to the city of Detroit”.
“Having a global company establish a base in our city is another example of how more businesses are seeing Detroit as a good investment,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
Lou Anna Simon, president of Michigan State University, confirmed Amazon has been a talent development partner and an employer of fresh graduates from the university. In addition, Mark Schlissel, president of the University of Michigan, said Amazon shares a strong relationship with the university and provides recruitment and internship opportunities to students, reported The Michigan Daily.
Every year, students from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University are invited to visit Amazon’s global headquarters in Seattle “to work on real-world projects and receive hands-on mentorship”.
Amazon will also donate $10,000 and 30 Amazon Fire tablets to the Detroit Public Schools' Carver STEM Academy program to help educate students who choose to stay in Michigan. The school offers a curriculum rich in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to students from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade.
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