Amazon expansion brings 1,000 jobs to Ohio

COLUMBUS — Amazon has announced a Midwest expansion in Ohio that will include 1,000 well-paying jobs over the next several years.

The deal between Ohio’s job-creation entity, JobsOhio, and the retailing giant was announced today. It adds a third data computing center in the Columbus suburb of New Albany to previously announced centers in Dublin and Hilliard.

Paul Misener, vice president for Global Public Policy, said Amazon.com will voluntarily begin collecting Ohio sales taxes Monday as part of the deal. He estimated the tax would generate between $150 million and $300 million annually.

Republican Gov. John Kasich called the announcement “an intellectual victory” for the state and its high-tech sector. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, said ZIP code and intermodal changes in the region helped foster the expansion.