North Raleigh Today

Oxford Economics announced that Amazon's investment in the Garner, North Carolina, distribution center has created over 4,000 jobs and boosted the local economy by increasing business formation, labor market participation, and employee career development. The study was released in February 2025.

According to an Oxford Economics case study, Amazon's RDU1 distribution center has had significant economic benefits on the local economy. After five years, counties receiving investments from major employers saw increases in new business formation, higher employee earnings, reduced unemployment rates, and improved access to private health insurance. Specifically, in Raleigh’s metropolitan area, Amazon’s fulfillment center in Garner has contributed to the local economy by creating over 4,000 jobs, revitalizing a vacant site, supporting employee education through programs like Career Choice, and collaborating with local organizations to foster job opportunities.

Amazon has become a key employer in North Carolina, investing over $12 billion statewide since 2010. The company operates more than 50 sites across the state and employs 24,000 people. In the Raleigh area alone, Amazon has invested over $3 billion, operates 11 sites, and employs more than 7,000 people while contributing to an estimated 10,000 additional indirect jobs. The company revitalized a vacant site in Garner to build the RDU1 fulfillment center which opened in 2020. According to the Oxford report, Amazon offers comprehensive employee benefits from day one including medical and dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid leave while providing opportunities for workers to develop technical skills and advance to higher-paying roles.

Ashley Cagle, assistant executive director for Wake County Economic Development said Amazon's Career Choice program is a "big driver for Amazon receiving community support." Career Choice is an education benefit designed to help employees gain new skills through external educational opportunities according to Amazon Jobs. Cagle says that the company aims to support employees at every stage of their educational journey by offering training and education opportunities.

Amazon has invested in its employees' growth with over 1,000 workers at the RDU1 fulfillment center utilizing the company’s pre-paid tuition program Career Choice according to the Oxford case study. Additionally, Amazon has partnered with local organizations to create job opportunities and hire from the surrounding community.

Oxford Economics is an organization that specializes in economic forecasting and analysis offering data-driven insights to businesses governments and financial institutions according to its website.