News Summary
Amazon is set to boost its workforce in Massachusetts to 14,000 full-time employees by the end of 2024, marking a 34% increase. This growth is driven by new warehouses in North Andover and Charlton, creating thousands of job opportunities. Local governments have offered significant tax incentives to support this expansion. Despite some fluctuations in employee numbers at certain locations, Amazon’s rapid growth has established it as the fifth-largest private-sector employer in the state. The future looks promising for job seekers as new facilities and tech hubs emerge.
Amazon Expanding Workforce in Massachusetts: A Boost for Local Communities
Massachusetts is buzzing with excitement as Amazon gears up to expand its workforce, aiming to hit a remarkable 14,000 full-time employees by the end of 2024. This represents a massive 34% year-over-year increase in their worker count, showcasing the company’s commitment to the Bay State!
New Warehouses Making Waves
The growth in jobs is primarily due to the opening of two brand-new warehouses in North Andover and Charlton, with the two facilities creating thousands of job opportunities right at home. The North Andover facility is nothing short of impressive, featuring a colossal five-story structure that cost a jaw-dropping $600 million. Covering around 3.8 million square feet, it’s just about the size of 66 football fields! Meanwhile, the Charlton site isn’t too shabby either, boasting 2.9 million square feet and a price tag of $350 million.
A Look at Employment Numbers
As it stands, the North Andover warehouse is already home to 2,206 workers, while Charlton has welcomed 2,183 full-time employees through its doors. Interestingly, prior to these openings, Amazon’s Massachusetts employee count was a steady 10,500 from 2021 to 2023. Before the expansion, they already employed around 23,000 individuals across the state, including part-timers and Whole Foods workers.
Incentives from Local Governments
To encourage Amazon’s growth, local governments have stepped up with shiny tax incentives. For instance, North Andover approved a whopping $27 million tax break back in 2020, while the town of Charlton provided an $11.6 million incentive. In fact, Amazon has received municipal tax breaks for all four of its facilities, including sites in Fall River and Stoughton.
A Change in the Workforce Landscape
With this expansion, Amazon has become the fifth-largest private-sector employer in Massachusetts, a far cry from their modest beginnings in 2015 when they employed just over 1,000 full-time individuals in the state. This rapid growth highlights just how much Amazon has cemented its position in the community over the past decade.
Adjustments in Workforce Levels
There have been some fluctuations too. For instance, the warehouse in Fall River saw its numbers drop from over 1,400 employees in 2016 to just 843 by the end of last year. This marks a significant reduction amid the expansions taking place elsewhere.
Tech Workforce and Future Plans
Aside from warehouses, Amazon is making its mark in technology as well. They’ve set up a solid tech workforce base in Boston, including a new tower located in the vibrant Seaport District. Interestingly, they have decided to delay moving into an even larger building adjacent to their Seaport tower until 2027, keeping locals curious about what plans lie ahead.
Workers Standing in Solidarity
It’s worth mentioning that workers at three Amazon facilities in Massachusetts—Charlton, North Andover, and Fall River—have recently joined in solidarity with striking delivery workers at other Amazon locations across the country. The ongoing strike is linked to the Teamsters union, which has been voicing concerns over Amazon’s adherence to labor laws and negotiation practices. While Amazon claims that the delivery workers in question are employed by a third party and therefore not directly within their purview, the situation has sparked plenty of discussions.
Looking Ahead
As Amazon continues to expand its footprint in Massachusetts, the future certainly looks bright for job seekers in the area. With new facilities and technology hubs popping up, it’s an exciting time for local economies, workers, and the communities they enrich.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Boston Globe: Amazon Facilities Massachusetts Picketing
- Wikipedia: Amazon.com
- NBC Boston: Amazon Headcount Surges in Massachusetts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Warehouse
- Site Selection: The Amazon Bandwagon Rolls Through Massachusetts
