Bel Aire, Kan. – As the holiday shopping season approaches, Amazon’s local “last‑mile” distribution facility in the Sunflower Commerce Park is gearing up for a significant increase in volume. The center, which sits just a few miles southeast of Amazon’s larger Park City fulfillment hub, normally processes around 55,000 packages each day.
Holiday surge drives higher daily totals
During the peak holiday period, that daily count is expected to rise to roughly 83,000 packages, according to Senior Delivery Station Manager Corey Hawkins. Since the facility opened in January, it has already handled more than 14 million packages for customers across the region.
Staffing and hours expanded to meet demand
To keep up with the increased workload, Hawkins says the Bel Aire hub is extending its operating hours and bringing additional associates on board. The facility now employs about 850 associates who work each day to sort, stage, and load parcels for delivery.
Six independent delivery service providers partner with the center, supplying more than 500 drivers who complete the final leg of each shipment. The combined effort allows the weekly average of package deliveries to jump from roughly 371,000 to about 580,000.
Impact on the local economy
The staffing boost reflects Amazon’s broader commitment to creating jobs in the Wichita metropolitan area. By hiring locally and extending hours, the company supports families and contributes to the region’s economic vitality during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Community leaders have praised the move, noting that the additional employment opportunities align with the area’s focus on traditional families and individual liberty. The expansion also underscores the importance of reliable logistics infrastructure for both consumers and local businesses that rely on timely deliveries.
Looking ahead
Hawkins expects the facility to maintain the heightened level of service through the holiday rush and then gradually scale back as order volumes normalize after the season. The company’s ability to adapt quickly to seasonal demand demonstrates the flexibility of its last‑mile network and its role in keeping Kansas shoppers supplied with the goods they need.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
