It looks like a cat and mouse game. Even a game of liar poker. After months of speculation and controversy over the possible arrival of Amazon in the Territory of Belfort, the American company will formalize the opening of a site, at the Aeroparc de Fontaine, Tuesday May 11 or Wednesday May 12, has learned The world. However, it is “only” a delivery agency of the “Last mile”, where the drivers come to pick up the packages to deliver them to customers. This kind of building of approximately 10,000 square meters is much smaller than the type of large storage warehouse also planned for the Aeropark… A project that Amazon still refuses to confirm or deny.
“I welcome the opening of this last mile agency in Fontaine: it will create 300 jobs, ie 80 permanent contracts to manage the site (at Amazon) and 230 drivers (at service providers)”, rejoices Damien Meslot, the mayor (Les Républicains) of Belfort. For the chosen one, the arrival of Amazon marks an additional step in the diversification strategy of the Belfort region, turned towards the industry. The agglomeration of just over 100,000 inhabitants remains marked by the elimination, in mid-2019, of several hundred jobs by General Electric. The social plan, which is coming to an end, has contributed to the demographic decline of the city.
But isn’t the officialization of Amazon’s arrival at the Aeropark a big clue confirming that the American company will indeed be the operator of the large warehouse project on the same site? Why, then, did Mr. Meslot affirm several times that there was no such project with the American company? “I have always said that there was no project in Belfort, I did not mention Fontaine”, smiles Mr. Meslot. The chosen one clearly plays on words. Even rewrites history, since had declared in November to France 3 that there was not ” planned to date in the Territory of Belfort ”.
Recurring debate
When contacted, Amazon formalizes the delivery agency but not a large distribution center project. “We have just opened a warehouse in Metz and have confirmed several delivery agencies in 2021. We are maintaining the pace announced with a large site and eight to ten agencies per year. We are often loaned many projects but these complex buildings are often carried by developers, who offer them or rent them to different companies. “
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