Amazon to Lay Off Nearly 500 Workers as Florida Warehouse Shuts for $200 Million Expansion

BY COMFOR T OGBONNA

Amazon will lay off nearly 500 employees this September as it temporarily closes one of its South Florida fulfillment centers for a major redevelopment project, though the company says it intends to create more jobs once the upgraded facility reopens.

According to a notice filed with state and local officials, 494 employees at the Port St. Lucie warehouse will be separated from the company effective Sept. 17. The layoffs account for more than half of the facility’s workforce of approximately 850 employees.

The workforce reduction comes as Amazon prepares to begin a $200 million modernization and expansion of its warehouse located on Midway Road near Interstate 95. Construction is expected to continue through 2028 and will transform the facility with advanced robotics, automated conveyor systems, and other technology designed to improve efficiency and increase fulfillment capacity.

Although the official notice describes the job separations as permanent, Amazon said it is working to retain as many employees as possible by transferring them to other facilities across South Florida. Company officials said the temporary closure makes it unsafe for employees to remain at the site while construction is underway.

Hundreds of workers have already accepted transfers to nearby Amazon locations, and the company continues to identify additional opportunities for employees who wish to remain with the business. Workers who decide not to relocate will receive severance packages based on their length of service with the company.

Amazon said it expects to rehire many employees once construction is completed, with the upgraded fulfillment center projected to employ more than 1,000 workers when operations resume. The expanded workforce would represent a significant increase over current staffing levels and reflects the company’s long-term investment in the region.

Local economic development officials have been working alongside workforce agencies to minimize the impact of the temporary shutdown. Job fairs have been organized to connect displaced workers with employment opportunities at other businesses throughout the Treasure Coast, while workforce specialists continue assisting affected employees with job placement and career support.

Officials acknowledged that the temporary closure will create challenges for workers and their families but expressed confidence that many employees will find new positions before the warehouse reopens. They also noted that the expansion is expected to strengthen the local economy over the long term by creating additional employment opportunities once the project is completed.

The Port St. Lucie warehouse did not receive local economic development incentives or tax abatements, according to county officials. Despite the temporary layoffs, community leaders said they remain optimistic about the project’s long-term benefits, citing Amazon’s substantial capital investment and future hiring plans.

The Port St. Lucie expansion is separate from another major Amazon project planned nearby in Fort Pierce. That proposed distribution center represents a $240 million investment and is expected to span approximately 1.1 million square feet. The future facility is expected to employ about 745 workers and primarily handle refrigerated goods, while the upgraded Port St. Lucie location will continue operating as a fulfillment center serving customer orders.

The two projects underscore Amazon’s continued investment in Florida’s logistics network, even as the company temporarily reduces its workforce during construction. Once both facilities are fully operational, they are expected to support thousands of jobs across the region while expanding the company’s distribution capabilities.