Amazon to open $20 million facility in Winchester, Ky.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Amazon.com Inc. has announced plans to open a new 70,000 square-foot customer service facility in Winchester, Ky., according to a press release.

The $20.7 million facility is expected to create more than 550 full-time jobs and 600 seasonal jobs in the Commonwealth by 2017.

"Amazon's decision to grow its Kentucky footprint is fantastic news, especially when you consider the impact of more than 1,100 full-time and seasonal jobs it will bring to the central Kentucky region," Ky. Gov. Steve Beshear said. "Kentucky is proud to have Amazon choose Winchester for this growth opportunity and wish them continued success and prosperity."

The Winchester facility will be Amazon's first customer service center in Kentucky. Amazon subsidiaries currently operate fulfillment centers in Louisville, Lexington, Campbellsville and Hebron, Ky. The multi-million-dollar investment in Winchester will help Amazon to provide customer service and technical support.

"There are thousands of employees working in Amazon's fulfillment centers across Kentucky, and we're proud to be expanding our presence in the state with the opening of a customer service center," said Tom Weiland, vice president of Amazon Customer Service. "We hope to have our team in Winchester up and running before the holiday season, and we're hiring great people to join us in giving Amazon customers a first-class shopping experience."

The new customer service center is expected to open in late summer and will be based at Winchester Plaza during construction of the permanent facility, which is expected to open in 2013.