Indiana State Senators Say Amazon Distribution Center is "Speculation"

Indiana state lawmakers are backing away from previous statements saying online retailer Amazonis planning a distribution center in Jeffersonville.Senators Ron Grooms and Luke Kenley told the Courier-Journalthat Amazon was interested in building a fulfillment center in Southern Indiana. But that information wasn’t confirmed by Amazon or by executives with River Ridge Development Center—the space in Jeffersonville Amazon is reportedly considering.Today, Grooms and Kenley sent out a statement calling the new fulfillment center “speculation.” They also stressed the deal wasn't connected to a recent agreement between the state of Indiana and Amazon to allow the state to collect sales tax on online purchases. The statement: “Reports of a possible new Amazon fulfillment center locating in Indiana are speculative at this point. We cannot comment on a private company’s plans for expansion or construction of a new facility without actual knowledge of the situation. However, we would like to make it clear that a new facility was not part of the recent sales-tax negotiations or the agreement reached between the state and Amazon for them to start collecting Indiana’s 7 percent sales tax from online purchases.  Amazon has been a good corporate citizen in Indiana and their facilities here have created many jobs and business opportunities. We are hopeful that Amazon will consider further expansion in Indiana.”