Amazon's huge Shakopee operation set for 2016 opening

Amazon's massive fulfillment center in Shakopee will open sometime this year, the company says.

Amazon won't be specific about an opening date but the building's shell and much of the interior is largely finished. The center will employ about 1,000 full-time workers — and hundreds of robots. The robots will find and carry items to employees packing orders. 

The center, to be nearly 1 million square feet, will improve delivery times for Twin Cities customers, says Brian Urkiel, general manager.  

"It gives us more capability to be able to deliver faster to our customers in this area," Urkiel said.

One section has two floors. Another, four floors. The center will feed packages to other Amazon facilities, where they'll be routed for delivery to customers.  After the center is in operation, the company will offer public tours.