Amazon is building a two million square-foot fulfillment center in north Bakersfield that will bring 1,500 jobs to Kern County.

County Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop says the online giant has already begun construction on the facility on Merle Haggard Drive next to Meadows Field Airport.

Amazon has worked with the county for a year to streamline permits on the project. The county is also planning on an incentive package, similar to the one just given to cosmetics company L’Oreal, that reduces business taxes whenever more jobs are created.

Kelli Pierce