JEFFERSONVILLE, IN (WDRB) -- Amazon could be closer to building a 1-million square foot distribution warehouse in Jeffersonville after the planning commission approved a plan to build on a site in River Ridge Commerce Center.
The development is expected to bring in 800 to 1600 jobs by October. The proposal was pitched by real estate investment company KTR. Amazon.com is current client of KTR.
Both city officials and KTR representatives would not confirm nor deny that the tenant was Amazon, but others, including Gov. Mitch Daniels, have hinted that Amazon would be a good fit in southern Indiana.
"I don't count my chickens prematurely, but the chances are good," Daniels said during a stop in Jeffersonville last week when asked directly if the online retailer was coming to Jeffersonville.
Rep. Ron Grooms, R - Jeffersonville, told WDRB News Tuesday that he had no affiliation or information on the project but had been told: "Amazon had expressed interest in moving to Indiana in the future."
KTR's senior vice president John Bancroft told the planning commission Tuesday night that the tenant had "an aggressive" deadline and hoped to be operational by October.
The "tenant" plans to build a 1-million square foot facility on the property that would house 800 to 1600 employees during its peak 'Christmas' season. The planning commission also granted the tenant a waiver to plant 600 trees, which is short of the normal 1000 required in Jeffersonville.
One planning commission member noted that he had no problem with the waiver when trying to "attract" a tenant of this nature.
"Yes. we're very excited about it," said Jerry Acy, River Ridge Commerce Center's executive director.
Amazon officials did not return calls to WDRB News seeking comment. But Bancroft said a shovel could be in the ground this quarter.
