Amazon Brings Tech Hub To Detroit

Amazon announced yesterday (Sept. 28) the unveiling of its corporate office in downtown Detroit, with plans to expand into a growing technology hub in early 2016.

“We are expanding to multiple floors in our current building to accommodate the goals for our presence in Michigan and hiring plans to bring the great local talent to Amazon,” Peter Faricy, vice president for Amazon Marketplace, told Crain’s Detroit Business in an emailed statement late last week.

According to Faricy, Michigan is “a rapidly growing technology corridor,” which underpins Amazon’s long-term goal to continue its expansion in the state while also bringing more high-tech jobs to the city.

The eCommerce giant’s Detroit office includes a variety of its business teams, such as software development, engineers and advertising sales.

Its Detroit-based business units are responsible for the development and innovation of platform solutions geared toward increasing Amazon’s customer offerings and local businesses using the site globally, a City of Detroit press release stated.

“We are excited to welcome Amazon to the city of Detroit,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in the release. “Having a global company establish a base in our city is another example of how more businesses are seeing Detroit as a good investment.”

Along with its corporate expansion, Amazon also announced its participation in supporting Michigan and Detroit’s STEM education initiatives by donating $10,000 and 30 Amazon Fire tablets to the Carver STEM Academy program at Detroit Public Schools, Crain’s Detroit Business confirmed.

“Amazon coming to Detroit complements Michigan State’s focus on preparing tomorrow’s leaders to support the community, the state and the world,” Lou Anna K. Simon, president of Michigan State University, said in the city’s press release.

“We’re pleased to have worked so closely with Amazon already as a talent development partner and an employer of our graduates,” Simon added, according to the city press release. “And we appreciate the company’s growing investment here, which promises more high-tech jobs for Michigan residents.”

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