Amazon boosts Ohio with USD $23 billion investment

Amazon has invested more than USD $23 billion in Ohio, supporting jobs and local business activity across the state.

The total covers infrastructure and operations built over the past decade. According to Amazon, its Ohio presence now supports more than 41,000 full- and part-time jobs, as well as an estimated 44,000 indirect jobs in fields including construction and professional services.

More than 30 fulfilment and sortation centres, delivery stations, Whole Foods Market stores, and corporate offices make up Amazon's footprint in Ohio. The company also said 13 renewable energy projects in the state are expected to generate enough carbon-free energy to match the electricity used by its operations.

Economic footprint

Amazon said it has contributed more than USD $17 billion to Ohio's gross domestic product since 2010. Its direct investments in the state include more than USD $1.4 billion in employee compensation and more than USD $900 million in benefits.

Average pay for customer fulfilment and transportation workers starts at more than USD $18 an hour, according to the company, with benefits available from the first day of work. Those benefits include health care coverage, paid parental leave, and access to education and skills training programmes.

Ohio has also become a significant location for Amazon Web Services. In 2023, Amazon announced plans to invest an additional USD $7.8 billion by the end of 2029 to expand data centre operations in the state, adding to earlier projects in central Ohio.

That broader investment comes as large technology groups continue to expand cloud and data infrastructure across the US Midwest, drawn by available land, access to power, and proximity to major population centres.

Small business links

Beyond its own sites, Amazon said independent sellers in Ohio have become an important part of its marketplace activity. More than 4,500 independent sellers in the state recorded average sales of more than USD $290,000 in Amazon's store during 2024, according to the company.

Those sellers, most of them small and medium-sized businesses, sold more than 90 million items and exported more than 20 million products. Amazon said they created more than 16,000 jobs in Ohio to support their operations.

Programmes tied to the company's logistics network have also expanded in the state. According to Amazon, more than 30 entrepreneurs in Ohio operate through its Delivery Service Partner programme, employing more than 2,500 drivers and staff, while more than 50 drivers in the state use the Amazon Flex platform.

Community spending

Amazon also outlined local giving and community work in Ohio. It said support has included STEM education, disaster relief, food access, and housing initiatives, with recipients including the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio, Columbus State Community College Foundation, and the United Way of Greater Cleveland.

One local business owner described how selling through Amazon helped drive growth beyond Ohio.

"Selling on Amazon has transformed our family business from a local Ohio manufacturer into a global brand, allowing us to create jobs right here in Canton while reaching customers worldwide," said Sarah Barna, Co-Founder of Bogs 4 Togs.

Amazon said its broader Ohio spending has covered wages, infrastructure construction, employee compensation, and procurement from local suppliers. According to the company, that activity has extended the impact of its investment beyond its own workforce and facilities.

"When Amazon invests in Ohio, they're not just building facilities and creating jobs, they're strengthening our communities and supporting local businesses all across the state," said J.P. Nauseef, President and Chief Executive Officer, JobsOhio.