Puyallup Tribe, Amazon Team Up For New Fife Sorting Center

FIFE, WA — A new Amazon sorting center is coming to Fife, courtesy of a partnership between the company and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.

The Puyallup Tribe on Tuesday announced it has embarked upon an agreement with Amazon to create a new, 520,000-square-foot sorting center in Fife. The Tribe says the move will bring hundreds of new jobs to the region and further strengthen its economic portfolio.

“This will have a long-term impact on our Members and generate hundreds of new jobs with great pay and benefits for our region,” said Bill Sterud, chairman of the Puyallup Tribal Council in a written statement. “This is exciting. It’s an opportunity to open new career paths in industries like logistics, retail, and technology with a company that is known for innovating.”

Once the center is up and running, the Tribe estimates it will employ more than 500 people. The City of Fife says, that's good news for its economy as well.

“This is exciting news for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and for Fife’s economic growth,” said Fife Mayor Kim Roscoe. “Amazon’s partnership with the Puyallup Tribe will add scale to city utilities, while their workforce payroll and professional development will be an asset for local workers now and in the future.”

The center will take up about 41 acres of land at 7449 45th St. Ct. E — land that is within city limits, but is under the Tribe's authority as a sovereign nation.

The building is expected to launch "soon" though no official date has been set. The Tribe says Amazon has agreed to make it aware of any upcoming employment opportunities, or similar building proposals.

Meanwhile, Amazon says the building will help them better serve customers across Western Washington.

“Amazon is excited to expand our operations network in the Puget Sound area in order to best serve customers in the region,” said Guy Palumbo, Amazon Public Policy Director in a statement. “This new location in Fife is the result of strong relationships and planning with the Puyallup Tribe and our state and municipal partners. We are excited to create new jobs and economic investment and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnerships within these communities.”

This January, Amazon surpassed Boeing as Washington's biggest employer, with 80,000+ employees inside the Evergreen State, The Seattle Times reported.