Amazon.com announces plan for Indiana distribution center

photo Amazon.com warehouse in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

NASHVILLE - Amazon.com Inc. today announced plans to open a new distribution center in Indianapolis and expand an existing one in Phoenix as part of the Internet retailer's ongoing push to increase capacity.

The estimated 900,000-square foot fulfillment center in Indianapolis will be the company's third facility in Indiana.

Amazon plans to add an estimated 400,000-square-foot expansion to its fulfillment center in Phoenix. Once complete, the facility will be more than 1 million square feet in size, making it one of the larger Amazon centers in North America.

"We are committed to growth in Indiana, because Governor [Mitch] Daniels and other state officials have demonstrated their commitment to Amazon jobs and investment," said Paul Misener, vice president of Amazon Global Public Policy, in a news release.

Amazon now is building two one-million-square-foot distribution centers in Chattanooga and Bradley counties.

Some state lawmakers are objecting to the state's commitment to exempt Amazon from charging Tennessee sales taxes on purchases made by its in-state customers. They have a bill that seeks to address that. The bill is expected to come up for discussion in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, a back of the Amazon project, is expected to address Bradley County commissioners and seek an expression of support.

Before speaking to the commission, Rep. Watson called Amazon an "amazing company."

"Unfortunately, a few legislators seem to have taken their eye off the ball and want to try to force Amazon to pay sales taxes in Tennessee," he said. "In my view, this attempt is unconstitutional and uncalled for. The U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear states cannot collect sales taxes from Internet-based companies."

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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