Amazon opens corporate office in Detroit, plans to expand next year

Online retailer Amazon is opening a corporate office in Detroit and plans to expand in early 2016.

Seattle-based Amazon says it wants the downtown office that's celebrating its grand opening Monday to be a technology hub.

Amazon says the office will mean more full-time technology-focused jobs, but the company didn't say how many. Peter Faricy, vice president for Amazon Marketplace, says in a statement that Amazon is "focused on hiring in the state."

Amazon says it has about 100 employees at the Detroit office with roles including software development, engineering and advertising sales.

As part of the announcement, Amazon is donating $10,000 and 30 Amazon Fire tablets to the Detroit Public Schools' Carver STEM Academy program. The school offers a curriculum rich in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.