Historic Amazon Project in Onondaga County Highlights the Value of Collaboration in Economic Development
Amazon is focused on speedy delivery, so that makes the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency a good match for growth. The online retailer had an aggressive timeline to build its 3.8 million-square-foot distribution center in Clay, New York. But, Onondaga County was more than ready to guide the largest private sector investment in its history thanks to a collaborative approach refined over decades.
“What was unique about this project was we had to get through certain benchmarks before the company would actually commit to building this historic project here in our community,” Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon II said. “So, we worked with all of our environmental review teams and our consultants, the town of Clay that would host the project, to make sure that any zoning changes, planning commissions, everything was working coherently.
“By bringing all the partners together early, we were able to really hit the benchmarks we needed to,” McMahon said. “We got all the proper approvals for this project within 90 days, which is really unheard of.”
Economic development projects of this scale require a thorough New York State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) that considers the impact of traffic, noise, visual aesthetics, stormwater, wastewater and the like. It can take a while.
So, OCIDA took on the role of lead agency to place itself at the center of communications between Amazon, its own teams and state and municipal authorities. Putting the priority on collaboration paid off.
“The county executive and OCIDA provided a streamlined, efficient process; excellent partnership; and collaboration that helped us deliver on the timeline that we needed to make this facility come to life,” Amazon Senior Manager of Economic Development Brad Griggs said. “Without their partnership, this facility would not be able to deliver on time to meet our customer needs and to be successful.
By bringing all the partners together early, we were able to really hit the benchmarks we needed to
J. Ryan McMahon II, County Executive, Onondaga County
“Many regions discussed collaboration, but it’s easy to talk about it – it’s really difficult to deliver it in practice,” he said. “And so the county executive and OCIDA delivered time and time again. Both delivered for us through multiple different problems, from supply chain issues to getting the site approved.”
The entire process – which includes several public hearings and outreach – occurred during the pandemic, an extra hurdle all sides handled in stride.
“As lead agency, we worked with both the town of Clay and other local partners to make sure that all their reviews of environmental issues were fully addressed,” OCIDA Executive Director Robert Petrovich said. “We also had to make sure that the community understood what the investment was, the impacts, and how we were going to locate this project in the right part of town – not only for Amazon, but for the community.”
Many regions discussed collaboration, but it’s easy to talk about it – it’s really difficult to deliver it in practice, and so the county executive and OCIDA delivered time and time again
J. Ryan McMahon II, County Executive, Onondaga County
The spirit of collaboration continues as Onondaga County stays connected with Amazon to propel a positive image in the community.
“The county did a good job letting folks know that here we’re trying to contribute to the community,” said Maciej Curlej, Assistant General Manager of Amazon’s Syracuse facility. “When we launched this building, the idea was, and we call this or our mission or motto, ‘footprints to success’ because we are new to Central New York.
“No one here knew really who Amazon was. So, with the partnership from the county, we were able to make those footprints and make a positive impact on the community itself,” he said. “The county is working with us to kind of give us an idea of what they need and what we need to do.”
It all began with a chat with Amazon leadership at a conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“The county and the economic development team here, along with County Executive McMahon, is intentional about economic development,” Petrovich said. “We travel together to various conferences to market the community, the assets that we have available and try to attract substantial investment in the community.”
In the case of Amazon, it was McMahon’s invite to Amazon’s senior vice president to visit the community that got the ball rolling and it was Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency’s efficient approach that sustained the interest.
“One of the things that we had to do was make sure that Amazon felt comfortable here, felt comfortable with their investment, and understood that we were a partner with them to locate the project here,” Petrovich said.
The company was particularly comfortable with the location near the New York State Thruway and a local workforce capable of handling their state-of-the-art robotic operations
The county and the economic development team here, along with County Executive McMahon, is intentional about economic development
Robert Petrovich, Executive Director, OCIDA
“When you combine those two things, we’re able to meet quality customer service throughout the entire East Coast region via this facility here,” Griggs said. “So, we’re just really excited about that opportunity to grow this facility.”
What was pitched as a $350 million project that would create about 1,000 jobs has grown to a $420 million investment at three facilities that employ upward of 3,400. In addition to the jobs, Amazon is also making community connections by investing in a Syracuse city school focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEAM) that’s open to all Onondaga County students.
“It’s been a real success,” Petrovich said. “They feel really comfortable here and we enjoy working with them.”
