Amazon expanding Detroit presence

E-commerce giant Amazon has opened a new Detroit office that is serving as a technology hub and plans to expand the hub effort in 2016.

In addition to the announcement, Amazon is donating 30 of its Fire tablets and $10,000 to Detroit Public Schools’ Carver STEM Academy.

Its hoping to make the office a technology hub and is focused on hiring within the state.

Amazon’s downtown branch now has 100 employees, who either work for its advertising sales platform or operate as engineers and software developers. The Detroit News reported that the company plans to add a second floor to its office space.

Amazon will join a host of other tech companies helping to develop this sector of Detoroit’s job economy – Quicken Loans already employs more than 10,000 tech workers, while Microsoft, Twitter, and a number of smaller companies like Level Eleven, and Detroit Labs are also creating jobs for Detroiters.

Detroit’s educational institute’s STEM Academy program aims to provide students with content on math, science, technology, art, and engineering subjects.

The expansion of the online retailer will continue and likely accelerate a trend downtown toward a greater tech presence. One local said that AMZN is planning a long-term commitment to the city the will include more jobs.

Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to discuss the expansion at a press conference Monday at Cobo Center, along with Amazon Marketplace vice president Peter Faricy and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, officials said. “This company will be a strong partner in growing our talented workforce and opening up these great opportunities”.