MUNSTER -- Amazon.Com is moving to Northwest Indiana. The e-commerce giant has announced it is opening a 75,000-square-feet fulfillment center at 101 45th Ave.

The center will distribute books and other items sold by the company.

"It is going to serve primarily the Great Lakes region, but it will serve other states across the country as well when necessary," said spokeswoman Patty Smith.

The center will be located at an existing warehouse space and will employ 75 to 100 full-time positions, as well as 100 or more temporary workers during the holiday season.

"We always ramp up during the holiday season. Our seasonal employment varies each holiday season, but we are looking to have a big holiday season this year," said Smith.

Seattle-based Amazon.Com was founded in 1995 as an online bookseller, but through the years has expanded into a variety of products. It has more than a dozen fulfillment centers of varying sizes across the United States. The company also has fulfillment centers in Canada, Ireland, The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and China.

According to Smith, the company chose to open a fulfillment center in Munster based on its proximity to Chicago.

Amazon.Com expects to begin shipping products from Munster before the end of the month. Products being shipped from Munster will come from Amazon's Media, Hardlines and Others categories.

The company is taking applications for warehouse and management positions. Starting wage for nonmanagement positions in Receiving/Shipping and Safety And Training will be $11 an hour. To apply for an hourly position, call 1-800-631-9021 or go to www.sm.peoplescout.com (enter media code PRS and job code 252S). For salaried positions go to http://www.amazon.com/careers.