Amazon’s Cortana Fulfillment Center Is Changing the Game in Baton Rouge

Over 2,000 Jobs Created and It’s Just Getting Started

Amazon’s Cortana fulfillment center, located at the former site of the Cortana Mall, has now been open for over a year, and the economic impact is undeniable. What was once a struggling retail corridor is now pulsing with energy and opportunity.

According to a recent address from Jessica Breaux, Amazon’s senior economic development manager, the center now employs over 2,000 people, which is double the original job estimate. She told the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge that Amazon’s experience in Baton Rouge has been “tremendous.” And the numbers back that up.

Cortana Corridor Is Booming

The revitalization around the facility has been just as impressive as the job growth:

• 40+ new business licenses issued within a 1-mile radius

• 197 new business licenses within 2 miles

• Sales tax collections jumped from $657,000 in 2022 to $1.36 million in 2024, marking a 100%+ increase

The buzz isn’t just coming from the fulfillment center itself. It’s coming from the entire community that’s now benefiting from this new hub of activity.

Industry-Leading Pay and Benefits

Amazon’s Cortana facility offers a starting wage of $17.50 per hour and provides full-time employees with the same benefits package as corporate staff. That means healthcare, 401(k), and all the perks that come with long-term career potential, right here in Baton Rouge.

Breaux noted this was a huge shift for the area, once considered a declining retail zone after the closure of the Cortana Mall. “That is really tremendous growth for a part of the city that at one time was an economic powerhouse,” she said.

Amazon’s Bigger Louisiana Footprint

• Over 6,500 Louisianans are now employed by Amazon statewide

• A same-day delivery facility is set to open later this year in Jefferson Parish

• More than 3,000 small and mid-size Louisiana businesses now use Amazon’s platform to reach customers

This isn’t just a fulfillment center. It’s part of a growing ecosystem of commerce, employment, and opportunity across the state. Check it out on my @brianmackeyrealtor Instagram page below 👇

Looking to Buy or Sell in Baton Rouge?

If you’re thinking about moving closer to the action or want to take advantage of the growth happening in our city, let’s talk. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling an investment property, or just curious about where the market is heading, I can help.

Reach out anytime — I’m Brian Mackey, your Baton Rouge real estate expert, and I’m here to guide you through it all.

📌 Source: A look at the economic impact of Amazon’s Cortana fulfillment center – Baton Rouge Business Report