Humboldt’s first Amazon facility is underway 

For years, the empty acreage inside the Airport Business Park on Boeing Avenue has sat untouched. According to recent county filings and public records, that’s about to change with the addition of an Amazon facility. Currently, no construction start date has been set.

Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, has formally proposed establishing a presence in Humboldt County. Instead of the massive fulfillment centers found in the Central Valley, the McKinleyville site would operate as a specialized “last-mile” delivery station. Public records received from Humboldt County detail “Project McKinley,” a 40,000-square-foot warehouse on a 9.4 acre parcel at 3110 Boeing Avenue near the Arcata-Eureka Airport. It is equivalent to roughly 8–9 standard NBA basketball courts (which are 4,700 square feet each).

The application was submitted in October 2025 and is still under county review. Several requirements must be met before the Planning Commission can issue a Coastal Development Permit. One major focus is the project’s impact on local wildlife and vegetation.

As of April 25, “Project McKinley” remains in the permitting stage. Its final timeline depends on environmental study results and upcoming public hearings. Some community members have taken to social media to plan a protest against the plans during the upcoming public meeting with representatives for the project. 

“In the fall, we plan to have some wildlife surveys done in the area of Airport Road,” said Steve Lazar, senior planner for Humboldt County Planning and Building. “These surveys will help determine the condition of the surrounding ecosystem before construction begins. Current plans show that of the 18 county-protected trees on the property, three would be removed while 15 would remain.” 

Panattoni Development Co. has also proposed three stormwater ponds to handle runoff from new paved areas.

“Personally I do think we will be seeing a difference in McKinleyville, not necessarily a disturbance. But I see it as an opportunity for jobs that are really lacking in the market for this town,” McKinleyville resident Scout Mays said.

Once operational, the hub aims to cut delivery times for Humboldt residents to one day or less. Packages would arrive overnight by freight trucks, typically between 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., before being sorted for local routes.

Panattoni highlighted projected 115 to 172 new jobs, including warehouse positions and delivery drivers. Records also show the station will rely on “Amazon Flex” partners, independent contractors who use their own vehicles to deliver packages.

Community reaction is mixed. On platforms like Reddit, many residents welcome faster shipping, noting that the “redwood curtain” often delays deliveries by a week or more. Economic impacts, however, remain debated.

While some believe this will benefit the community, others worry about broader consequences.

“Amazon’s goal is not to give back to the community,” Humboldt local Ava Jones said. “They just want to exploit local resources, like labor, water, land, etc. I’ve never been a fan of Amazon. It’s just another corporate monolith looking to grow and expand on the downfall of others.”