ROCKINGHAM — Amazon is looking to partner with Richmond County businesses to help deliver local packages.
Although the Amazon Hub Delivery distribution center is in Fayetteville, the company recently joined the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and held a ribbon cutting at the Chamber office in downtown Rockingham late Tuesday morning.
“I’ve seen little memes on Facebook that, if Amazon doesn’t show up at your house, the police show up and say, ‘Is there something wrong with you today?’” joked Chamber President Kristi King, welcoming the new business. “We’re excited that Amazon Hub has joined the Chamber.”
Rockingham Mayor John Hutchinson noted that Amazon boxes are seen stacked on porches throughout the county — including his own.
“Amazon is a wonderful partner to have in Richmond County,” Hutchinson said. “And we’re excited about Amazon Hub and about this next step that you’re taking in Richmond County and feel like it’s going to be a great service for our public.”
Hutchinson added that the model “makes a lot of sense for Amazon as well.”
According to the website, Amazon Hub Delivery is a “flexible delivery model that partners with local businesses, like coffee shops or dry cleaners, who deliver Amazon packages in their local communities.”
“Amazon Hub Delivery partners receive packages each morning and have the flexibility to make each day’s deliveries when it works best, based on their business’ operating schedule and leveraging their existing staff,” the website continues.
A handout distributed to those attending explains how Amazon will deliver 20-50 packages to the partnering business, which will then deliver those packages “during downtime” or with existing deliveries.
In addition to earning extra money, the handout boasts the additional benefits of gaining more visibility in the community and access to Amazon technology.
Kera Lydon, event sales coordinator for Amazon Hub Delivery, said the company is looking for small businesses to partner with in Richmond and other counties in the Sandhills.
Lydon said the partners can earn upwards of $40,000 per year delivering for the online retail giant.
The company is looking for seven to nine Richmond County businesses to partner with, and is offering a $1,000 referral bonus through the end of July. After the end of the month, the referral bonus drops back down to $500.
A lunch and learn about Amazon Hub Delivery is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 26 in the Robinette Building of the Richmond Community College downtown Rockingham campus, according to Small Business Center Director Anna Holloway.
Ironically, Holloway won the drawing for an Amazon Echo Dot during the ribbon cutting.
