May 15—STEWARTVILLE, Minn. — Amazon's plan to build a 83,900-square-foot facility, code-named "Project Tiger," is moving forward with the $2.5 million purchase of land in Stewartville's Schumann Business Park.
Amazon.Com Services, LLC, bought 23 acres of open land along Interstate 90 on May 2. It paid $2,501,713 in cash to Malcolm, Inc. of Albert Lea. Malcolm, Inc., named after Malcolm Prinzing, also owns the Pure Pleasure adult store located between the Amazon land and U.S. Highway 63.
The online retail giant responded to questions about the deal on Thursday.
"I can confirm we have purchased this property with the intent of opening a last-mile facility in the area," wrote Steve Kelly of Amazon's PR team.
He did not answer questions about the timeline for construction or how many jobs the new Amazon facility could bring to the area.
While he didn't offer more details, Stewartville's City Council did discuss Project Tiger earlier this year, when the general development plan submitted by Ryan Cos. was approved. The city had annexed the 23 acres into the city limits earlier in the year.
As background for the project, the Amazon spokesman referenced a national announcement in April. Amazon announced an investment of more than $4 billion to expand its "Rural delivery network."
This project is the latest to build in Stewartville's Schumann Business Park, which has grown into an economic driver for the region. Its access to Interstate 90, Highway 63 and Rochester International Airport has made it very attractive.
Maryland-based United Therapeutics is building a $110 million pathogen-free facility to raise gene-edited pigs there. Minnesota Medical Technologies recently more than doubled the size of its nearby manufacturing facility. Teigen Paper & Supply also recently built a new warehouse and office complex in the Schumann Business Park.