NAMPA — A new Amazon facility is expected to improve delivery times in the Treasure Valley.

On Oct. 8 in Nampa, Idaho’s first same-day delivery center held a ribbon cutting in its warehouse. The new facility, located at 2802 E Comstock Ave., off 11th Avenue North, is separate from Amazon’s Nampa buildings on Franklin and Star roads.

“The city of Nampa has been a great partner for us,” Tareq Wafaie, Amazon manager of economic development, said at the ribbon cutting. “They share a collaborative approach and have helped Amazon be a member of the community, rather than just supporting our development activities.”

The facility spans just under four acres and is designed to quickly complete orders. According to Amazon, the facility can process 20,000 orders daily. Wafaie said that the center will allow items to be delivered within hours of being ordered.

Operations of the same-day facility began on Sept. 25 with 400 employees, according to Wafaie. He said there is room for future growth, with positions ranging from warehouse to robotics.

“Today’s celebration also highlights the continued economic growth and competitiveness of the Treasure Valley,” he said.

Nampa legislators, city councilors and members of the Nampa Chamber of Commerce were in attendance at the ribbon cutting. The event began with Amazon staff presenting a $25,000 check to go toward DonorsChoose, a nonprofit that provides funding for classroom projects, specifying the contribution to go toward Idaho schools.

Over the past decade, Amazon has invested over $2 billion in Idaho and created 4,000 jobs, according to an Amazon fact sheet. Amazon also currently ships for 2,000 small and mid-sized businesses.

“Four-thousand jobs in Idaho and 2,000 small and mid-sized businesses — that’s the chamber of commerce, that is our community,” Nampa Chamber President Mitch Minnette said. “Look out here, and if you have time, I hope you get to meet each one of these people, because this is a makeup of Nampa.”

The Amazon facility also provides the opportunity for “flex-drivers” who can deliver packages via their personal car and get paid.

Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling thanked the Amazon team for bringing business to the city.

“I’m just thankful that we, in the city of Nampa, have the opportunity to benefit from Amazon’s presence here, and the support that it has for our local community,” Kling said.

Behind a fence, yellow shelves zoom around the product area, riding on an automated platform. The traveling “pods” carry a variety of products in small cubbies.

“They’re like Roombas,” Amazon Public Relations Executive Matthew Gardea joked.

The platform the pods sit on uses several cameras to detect motion around them.

This technology isn’t necessarily new, but it’s the first time Amazon has used it at a same-day delivery center.

“(The question is) ‘How do we ensure that we are not stressing our associates?’” Gardea said.

The moving platforms allow for associates to scan a QR code and have the products come straight to them. Utilizing an algorithm, Gardea said they can avoid having associates repeatedly reaching for the same spot, possibly resulting in discomfort.

“The fact that we provide such a reliable and stable support system, that’s different,” Gardea said.

Station Manager Auston Ayres said the goal is to “keep their workers the same” as when they came in. This means reducing strains and repetitive movements to avoid injuries.

Carts with springs elevate products so employees don’t have to reach as far down, and bins by ladders let employees set products aside before climbing down.

“We take a lot of pride from the work that we do to elevate our workforce and to implement safety mechanisms that continue to improve job satisfaction for the company,” Wafaie said. “Over time, we’ve implemented a lot of those lessons learned right here in this newest facility.”