Amazon's future expansion in Ohio: What's really going on?

Online giant Amazon is expanding rapidly in Southwest Ohio with a new fulfillment center set to open in Monroe — and Dayton and Cincinnati officials want the company to have an even bigger presence in the region.

The two cities have joined forces to submit an application to bring Amazon’s second $5 billion headquarters to the area. Applications are due later this month. Dayton’s and Cincinnati’s applications to Amazon will emphasize the “uber region” that sits between the two cities.

Here are five things you need to know about Amazon’s growing presence in the area:

1. SECOND HEADQUARTERS Dayton and Cincinnati will submit an application together for the second headquarters. Dayton-Cincinnati combined is the 15th largest region in the U.S., according to Shelley Dickstein, Dayton city manager. "Keep in mind that we're talking about 50,000 jobs, so should we win this bid, there will be people coming from both the Dayton and Cincinnati areas to work there," said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. READ ON

2. EXPANSION IN MONROE Amazon confirmed last month its plans to open a fourth Ohio fulfillment center that will create more than 1,000 full-time jobs in the Warren County portion of Monroe. The one-million-square foot facility near Interstate 75 will house employees who will pick, pack and ship larger customer orders.

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3. TAX INCENTIVES The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 1.39 percent, 10-year tax credit for the Amazon facility in Monroe that is expected to create $26.7 million in new payroll and be a $30 million fixed-asset investment. The tax credit starts in January. As part of the tax credit agreement, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority says Amazon will have to maintain operations at the Monroe location for at least 13 years.

4. MONROE PROJECT COMPLETION The expected Amazon project completion date is Dec. 28, 2018, and the "tenant improvement portion" of the project will be completed no later than Feb. 1, 2019.

5. GROWING PRESENCE In Ohio, Amazon has already launched operations at two different fulfillment centers in Etna and Obetz, and also has Prime Now sites in Columbus and Valley View — and more than 6,000 employees in the state. Amazon's intricate network of fulfillment and distribution facilities across the world make it possible for products to be sorted, packed and shipped within minutes.

Amazon will continue to expand in Ohio, adding another fulfillment center — and another 1,000 jobs — in Euclid.

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