SEBRING – On Monday, April 28, Amazon announced that a new delivery station in Lake Placid is under construction and is expected to open in the fall.
In the same news release from Amazon, the opening of two other delivery stations in Florida was announced, one in Panama City and the other in Gibsonton, which is in Hillsborough County.
Amazon says the new facilities are expected to create more than 100 full- and part-time jobs, in addition to more than 100 new driver opportunities, in the state.
"We are thrilled to welcome Amazon to Highlands County,” said Sarah Beth Murphy, executive manager of Business & Economic Development with the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners.
Amazon delivery stations are the last peg of Amazon’s order process and help speed up deliveries. Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighboring Amazon Fulfillment and Sortation Centers, loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers.
Delivery stations offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their own business delivering Amazon packages, as well as independent contractors the flexibility to be their own boss and create their own schedule delivering for Amazon Flex, according to Amazon.
In 2022, Duke Energy did a site-readiness study in Lake Placid. This Amazon delivery station is the first new investment in that area since the study was completed.
Highlands County’s Economic Development team began working with Amazon representatives in April 2024, helping them navigate the zoning and land-use process and the development review process with the appropriate County and Town of Lake Placid departments.
“This new distribution facility represents a significant investment in our local economy, bringing quality jobs, infrastructure growth, and long-term opportunities for our residents. It’s a strong signal that Highlands County is open for business and ready to support world-class companies looking to grow in South-Central Florida,” Murphy said.
A positive for our Highlands County community is Amazon’s commitment to driving economic growth and creating high-quality jobs that strengthen communities. These investments are expected to also contribute to the creation of indirect jobs on top of Amazon’s direct hires – from jobs in construction and logistics to professional services, according to Sam Blatt, Economic Development senior manager for Amazon.
According to an Amazon news release, “more than 56,000 independent sellers – most of which are small- and medium-sized businesses – in Florida are selling to customers in Amazon’s store, creating thousands of additional jobs across the state.”
The new Lake Placid delivery station, which is currently under construction, is expected to open in Fall 2025. It will be 75,000 square feet and will be located at 1249 U.S. 27.