With over 100 facilities all over the United States, Amazon has set its sights on Vermont as the next state to host a “Last Mile” distribution warehouse. Discussions about where to build this facility are currently taking place in two Vermont towns, Essex and Milton. As talks in Essex have been taking place over the last few months, most residents have been waiting to make their voices heard. (A recent Development Review Board meeting was cut short due to technical difficulties, leaving over a hundred people unable to speak during public comment). For many, the prospect of an Amazon facility in Vermont presents a litany of concerns on how it will impact local communities, the environment, and labor.
Amazon distribution facilities have long been a danger to workers. There have been dozens of fatalities at Amazon’s facilities, and workers’ attempts to protect themselves have been blocked by the company’s expensive anti-union efforts. Amazon spends millions on anti-union consultants, having spent nearly 13 million dollars just last year. This pattern of Amazon’s disdain for unions was clearly demonstrated by their exit from Quebec shortly after those facilities unionized, just a few months ago. These dangerous trends and tactics would put many Vermont workers at risk of injury on the job, and without the right to bargain for fair working conditions and wages.
Although some see the possibility of an Amazon facility as an opportunity for new jobs, it is important to note that most jobs at this facility will be filled by third-party contractors. These contractors at Amazon are not considered Amazon employees, meaning there is no promise of benefits or a living wage. It also means if any contractor is injured or killed while working for Amazon, Amazon is not directly liable. The 150% turnover rate and 11.6 billion dollars in government subsidies should also give the community pause in welcoming this corporation into our state.
As we are seeing our neighbors across Vermont being kidnapped, imprisoned, and deported without due process, it should also be of grave concern to Vermonters that Amazon has built a cozy relationship with the government. Amazon has several million dollar contracts with local police departments, ICE, and CBP.
Despite enthusiastic claims that Amazon is a top investor in renewable energy, they are also among the top contributors to the climate crisis, emitting over 68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2023. These environmental issues are, and should be, on Vermonter’s minds, as such a large project will have a detrimental impact on traffic and the local environment. Considering that less than a mile away, the proposed new location for the women’s prison is on the table, if both projects are approved, recent studies for both projects estimate there will be an additional 500+ trips per day on our local roads. In March, Essex presented their Sand Hill traffic study, where the public voiced several concerns about the area’s current conditions. Noise pollution, air pollution, and dangerous walking conditions were among some of the concerns listed, as well as a clear declaration of there being “too many trucks”. Additionally, this location is next to the Winooski River, which has been known to flood, raising questions about runoff and reduced capacity of the land to absorb more water.
While the Essex Development Review Board has an obligation to use Essex zoning regulations and the town plan in their decision making, it has already considered waiving certain regulations for Amazon. Those considerations alone go against what Essex residents have listed in their town plan. Essex residents have infrastructure, economic development, and transportation goals that do not align with the idea of an Amazon facility being present in their community. The town plan champions economic diversity, local retailers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and creative space. Amazon’s existence online already puts local businesses at risk, and building this facility will only continue to negatively impact these sectors.
Amazon representatives told WCAX that their presence in Vermont will help get packages to your door faster, “think of the young families trying to get diapers”. It is hard to believe that anything about this project is for the benefit of the community or our young families.
If you would like to make a public comment on this project, please come to the next Development Review Board meeting on May 29th at 6:30pm in the Essex High School cafeteria, (zoom option available). The agenda item is listed as Scannell Properties, an Indianapolis-based company that has helped Amazon build facilities in several states. If you are unable to make it to the meeting, please contact the Development Review Board at community-development@essex.org or call them at 802-878-1343.
For Milton residents, discussions for an Amazon facility are also taking place and we urge you to contact the Milton select board member Darren Adams at dadams@miltonvt.com or call him at 802-238-8447.
Photo at top: a new Amazon warehouse in Spokane Valley, WA.
Jackie Lawlor is part of a larger group of Vermonters working to stop Amazon from coming to Vermont. She also helps manage the Vermont Against Amazon Instagram
