SHAKOPEE, Minn — Amazon informed state officials on Monday that the retail behemoth will shut down the sorting facility in Shakopee.
The complex, located at 5825 11th Ave. E. in Shakopee, employs 680 workers.
Officials with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) said they received a letter from Amazon that said it's ceasing operations on March 31, 2023.
"All affected employees have been notified of their employment separations at least 60 days before their separations are scheduled to occur," the letter stated.
An Amazon spokesperson says the company is working with the affected employees at the Shakopee facility.
"We're always evaluating our network to make sure it fits our business needs and to improve the experience for our employees, customers, partners, and drivers," said Amazon Public Relation Manager, Steve Kelly, in a statement. "As part of that effort, we may close older sites, enhance existing facilities, or open new sites, and we weigh a variety of factors when deciding where to develop future sites or maintain a presence. In this case, all employees at our facility in Shakopee are being offered opportunities to transfer to other facilities in and around the Twin Cities, or support if they choose not to stay with Amazon."
Kelly said the sorting facility is a rented space and the lease is expiring.
Amazon's 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Shakopee will not be affected by the closing of the sorting center, according to Kelly.
Last May, Amazon employees in Shakopee held a walkout over wages and getting time off for the Muslim holiday Eid.