Article Credit: Holyoke.org

Mayor Alex Morse welcomes hundreds of new jobs from Amazon Distribution Center in Holyoke

Holyoke will be the site of a new distribution center run by Amazon, one of the largest retailers in the world.  The operations are on track to open this fall at 161 Lower Westfield Rd., the site of the former Paolo Freire Social Justice Charter School, and Atlas Copco. 

As part of the operating plan, Amazon will be hiring and training hundreds of local workers to staff the distribution center with wages starting at $15 an hour for both full and part-time workers. 

Current full-time Amazon employees receive comprehensive benefits including full medical, vision, and dental insurance as well as a 401(k) with 50 percent match starting on day one. The company also offers up to 20 weeks of maternal and parental paid leave and innovative benefits such as Leave Share and Ramp Back, which give new parents flexibility with their growing families.

Amazon will be present this weekend with a booth at Celebrate Holyoke, with residents and prospective employees encouraged to stop by to learn more. The City is also working with Amazon representatives to coordinate a hiring event prior to the opening of the distribution center. 

“As Mayor, I am encouraged by Amazon’s commitment to hire locally, provide hundreds of living-wage jobs, and strengthen our tax base. The distribution center will continue to help Holyoke grow and diversify our economy while providing job opportunities to residents. I look forward to working with their representatives, and hope to see everyone this weekend at Celebrate Holyoke.”