Amazon, already one of America’s largest job creators, has announced plans to invest $4 billion in rural America to ‘offer even faster delivery.’

Amazon says it has already created more than 500,000 jobs across the US over the last five years, with many of them in small-town communities. The company is preparing for another major expansion phase, saying it will invest $4 billion in rural America, speeding up deliveries and adding an additional 100,000 jobs.

“Today, I’m excited to share that we’re investing over $4 billion to expand our rural delivery network, with a focus on small towns across the United States, to bring even faster delivery to our many millions of customers in less densely populated areas,” writes Udit Madan, Senior Vice President, Amazon Worldwide Operations. “At a time where many logistics providers are backing away from serving rural customers because of cost to serve, we are stepping up our investment to make their lives easier and better. This investment will also grow our rural delivery network’s footprint to over 200 delivery stations, and we estimate it will create over 100,000 new jobs and driving opportunities through a wide range of full-time, part-time and flexible positions in our buildings and on the roads. Once this expansion is complete, our network will be able to deliver over a billion more packages each year to customers living in over 13,000 zip codes spanning 1,200,000 square miles—an area the size of Alaska, California, and Texas combined.”

Amazon touts the significance of its investment, especially at a time when many companies are pulling back from investments in rural communities. Amazon opened its first rural delivery station in 2020, expanding its small-town delivery network in 2023, and says its delivery speeds have improved by an average of 50%. The company’s goal is to triple the size of its rural delivery network by 2026.

Customers and elected officials have praised Amazon’s focus on improving rural delivery.

“As a nurse working in a small community, I’ve seen how Amazon deliveries have become a lifeline for my elderly patients. With limited mobility, they can order essentials right to their doorsteps. It’s not just convenient, but preserves their dignity and independence. It’s an invaluable service that has brought relief and empowerment to those who need it most,” says Angie Payton, a nurse from Mansfield, Ohio.

“Amazon opening a delivery station in our town has been an incredible boon for our community,” said Mayor Roslyn White, of Abbeville, Louisiana. “Not only has it created more than 300 jobs for our residents, it has dramatically improved delivery speeds. Amazon’s investment is paying dividends for our local economy, and improving quality of life.”