Miami-Dade County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to pursue enforcement action against Amazon after the company temporarily closed a warehouse near Homestead — a move officials say violates a jobs agreement with the county.
Danielle Cohen Higgins, who sponsored the resolution, said the company failed to uphold its commitment and should be held accountable.
“We welcome you to our community and Miami-Dade County,” Higgins said, addressing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. “If you enter into a contract with us, we are going to hold you to account.”
Higgins said the county expects Amazon to honor an agreement requiring a minimum of 325 full-time jobs at the South Dade facility for at least 17 years.
“Honor your contractual obligations, Mr. Bezos — the ask is not an extraordinary one,” she said.
According to Higgins, the closure comes just two years into the agreement, raising concerns about the company’s commitment to local employment.
“We hear, ‘Oh just kidding — we are going to lay off 1,000 hardworking South Florida residents,’ and they said it in a cavalier way,” she added.
The commission unanimously approved the resolution directing county administrators to take all necessary steps to enforce the agreement, including potential legal action.
“Listen, this was a no-bid contract. They acquired this land without competition under certain terms and conditions,” Higgins said. “They have to honor those obligations.”
She also noted that county attorneys believe the contractual language is clear.
“The county attorneys agree the language is clear — 325 minimum at $32,000 a year. That is their obligation contractually to Miami-Dade, and quite frankly for Amazon, as we know, that is less than a drop in a bucket for them financially. They need to honor their obligations to us,” Higgins said.
In a statement, Amazon said the closure is tied to planned renovations and that employees have been offered transfer opportunities.
“Our team is working closely with Miami-Dade County and its attorneys, and we’re hopeful we can find a cooperative path forward,” said Amazon spokesperson Amber Plunkett. “More than 300 employees from our facility in Homestead have already accepted transfers to stay with Amazon at other facilities, most of which are based in Miami-Dade County.”
The company said employees will be invited to return when the facility reopens in mid-to-late 2028.
“I think the best indicator of the future is the past,” Higgins said. “If you are not able to honor your contractual obligations that are written and negotiated, it is very hard to honor your verbal representations at this point — the best way for us to have faith in Amazon is to honor your obligations.”
The resolution also requires a report back to commissioners within 30 days outlining the status of enforcement efforts.
