Updated: June 10, 2026
- Amazon fulfillment center in Port St. Lucie will close temporarily for two years starting September 17, 2026
- About 850 employees will be impacted as Amazon invests $200 million to expand and modernize the facility
- The company plans to hire approximately 1,000 workers when the upgraded fulfillment center reopens in late 2028
- Affected employees are eligible for rehire and qualify for severance packages including 4 weeks pay plus a lump sum equal to 6 months of health insurance costs
An Amazon fulfillment center in Port St. Lucie will close temporarily for two years beginning September 17, 2026, affecting approximately 850 workers across St. Lucie County. The closure is part of a planned $200 million expansion project to transform the existing facility into one of Amazon’s most advanced sortable fulfillment centers.
Expansion Details, Not Demolition
Amazon will not demolish the current facility. Instead, the company plans to add 870,000 square feet to the mezzanine level and invest an additional $200 million in facilities and equipment. The upgrades will convert the building into an Amazon Sortable Fulfillment Center featuring one of the company’s most advanced designs.
The investment will bring the facility’s taxable value to roughly $300 million. Amazon facilities in St. Lucie County receive no tax incentives and pay full taxes on facilities and equipment. The expansion will generate approximately $3 million in additional annual taxes for the city, county, school district, and other taxing entities.
Severance and Transfer Options for Displaced Workers
Employees who remain until the September 17 closing date will receive 4 weeks of pay plus a lump sum equal to the cost Amazon pays for 6 months of their health insurance.
Transfer opportunities to other Amazon facilities are available but limited for workers who prefer to stay local. The only nearby Amazon facilities are delivery stations in Port St. Lucie and Jupiter, which require different roles than fulfillment center positions.
Affected employees will be eligible for rehire when the upgraded facility reopens in late 2028. Amazon plans to staff the new operation with approximately 1,000 workers, exceeding current employment levels.
Local Transition Support
The Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County and CareerSource Research Coast are coordinating with a third-party transition company contracted by Amazon. This partnership provides on-site support to help displaced workers find new positions.
Several local employers have scheduled job fairs to recruit from the affected workforce.
The Apollo Group Job Fairs
The Apollo Group, a cruise ship provisioner based in Fort Pierce, is holding two job fairs in June:
- Monday, June 16 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, June 17 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Interested applicants can register at bit.ly/4f85ypv?r=qr.
ImportMex Job Fairs
ImportMex, which opens this summer in the Tradition area of Port St. Lucie, is holding job fairs at the Amazon facility on:
- Tuesday, June 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursday, June 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ImportMex also plans additional job fairs at a location to be announced. Applicants can follow #WorkLocalStLucie for updates as they become available.
Economic Impact on St. Lucie County
The closure represents a short-term challenge for the local economy, but the $200 million investment positions St. Lucie County as a key distribution hub for Amazon’s Florida operations. Economic development leaders view the expansion as a long-term gain for the region.
Local officials cite the timing of growing businesses in the area as a factor that should help absorb displaced workers during the transition period. The presence of new operations like ImportMex and continued growth at existing employers provides immediate hiring opportunities.
The expanded facility will feature updated technology and modernized infrastructure when it reopens in late 2028. Construction activity over the two-year closure is expected to generate additional economic activity through contractor employment and material purchases.
Background on the Port St. Lucie Facility
The Amazon Port St. Lucie fulfillment center has operated as a significant employer in the region. The upgrade to a sortable fulfillment center model reflects Amazon’s broader strategy of investing in advanced logistics capabilities at existing locations rather than relocating operations.
Sortable fulfillment centers handle smaller items that can be sorted by automated systems, including books, toys, household goods, and consumer electronics. The advanced design planned for the Port St. Lucie facility will incorporate technology systems used at Amazon’s newest centers nationwide.
