Amazon opens first U.P. facility in Escanaba, cutting delivery times

The Upper Peninsula now has access to speedy Amazon delivery, thanks to this month’s opening of the online retailer’s first facility on the peninsula in Escanaba.

“Having a delivery station in the U.P. will mean quicker deliveries to our residents who choose to shop online,” says Melissa Becotte, Escanaba controller and interim city manager. “This site will also provide many residents with good-paying job opportunities.”

What’s happening: Amazon leaders formally opened the 50,000-square-foot facility last week alongside state and local officials. Operations began on October 8, with workers already delivering packages across the U.P. The new station dramatically shortens delivery windows for local customers, cutting typical transit times from seven or eight days down to just two-day shipping.

“For a region where distance is simply a fact of life, Amazon’s investment in Escanaba helps bring the final link in the supply chain closer to the people of the Upper Peninsula,” says Sen. Ed McBroom of the 38th Senate District. “I am grateful for the commitment they’ve made to connect our communities to critical products and services.”

Employment: The facility currently employs more than 50 workers, a number the company expects to more than double in the coming weeks. Approximately 50 delivery drivers also operate out of the station. Amazon continues to hire for additional positions ahead of the busy holiday shopping season. With a population of 12,257, Escanaba is the third-largest city in the U.P., following Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie.

Seasonal workers: The launch of the Escanaba delivery station arrives on the heels of Amazon’s nationwide announcement to hire more than 300,000 seasonal workers across its operations network. This hiring push includes more than 450 seasonal roles in Northern Michigan and 12,500 statewide.

The back story: Amazon leaders note that the Escanaba delivery station is part of a larger $4 billion investment in rural America designed to expand its delivery network, create more than 100,000 jobs, and bring faster shipping to 13,000 zip codes across 1.2 million square miles nationwide. Amazon now operates six delivery stations in rural Michigan communities, including Escanaba, Traverse City, Gaylord, Saginaw, Clare, and Bad Axe.

Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than $20 billion in Michigan through infrastructure and employee compensation, creating more than 21,000 full- and part-time jobs. This footprint supports an additional 20,000 indirect jobs in construction, logistics, and professional services. Amazon has also donated more than $5.5 million to over 125 community organizations across Michigan since 2020. Statewide, the retailer operates 13 fulfillment and sortation centers, nine standard delivery stations, six rural delivery stations, eight Whole Foods Market locations, two Prime Air drone delivery centers, and a solar farm.

What people are saying: “We’re proud that Amazon now has a home in the Upper Peninsula,” says Rep. Dave Prestin of the 108th House District. “This investment brings an important opportunity to our communities and sends a clear signal that the U.P. is a great place for businesses of all sizes to call home.”

“This facility in Escanaba is about more than faster delivery for the people of the Upper Peninsula,” adds Kyle DeGiulio, senior manager of economic development at Amazon. “It’s about creating local jobs and showing that Amazon is committed to investing in rural America for the long term.”

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Amazon highlighted this community commitment by presenting a donation to Tri-County Safe Harbor, a local organization serving families in the region.

What’s next: A quicker delivery to your U.P. home or business?