Amazon announced plans to eliminate approximately 16,000 jobs across several departments, even as the company continues to report strong financial results. The layoffs, which represent a new wave of job cuts following earlier reductions in logistics and retail operations, are expected to impact corporate and warehouse roles nationwide.

According to reporting by KGW, Amazon made the announcement shortly after celebrating gains in sales and profits for the quarter. The move comes as the company continues to reevaluate its workforce following the rapid hiring that characterized its pandemic expansion years.

It’s not yet clear whether Amazon’s facilities in Washington and Oregon, including the company’s large warehouse footprint in the Portland–Vancouver metro area, will see significant impacts. The nearest Amazon logistics centers serving Cowlitz County are located in Hillsboro, Troutdale, and Portland, where the company employs thousands of workers who process and deliver regional orders.

Amazon stated that the layoffs are part of an effort to “improve efficiency and refocus resources” on its most profitable sectors, such as AWS and Prime logistics. Workers affected by the cuts are reportedly being notified and offered severance packages.

Why this matters for Cowlitz County: While no direct closures have been announced locally, regional Amazon hubs affect delivery times, local subcontractors, and employment opportunities throughout southwest Washington. As online retail and supply chain operations continue to shift, smaller distribution-dependent economies like Longview and Kelso may feel ripple effects through transportation, warehousing, and temporary labor sectors.

Columbia Countercurrent will continue to monitor for local impacts as more details about affected facilities become available from Amazon and labor regulators.

Sources: KGW: Amazon announces 16,000 layoffs as business booms