Will Amazon Pull out of the HLC?

Will Amazon Pull out of the HLC?

Will Amazon pull out of the deal renting space in the Hudson Logistics Center in Hudson NH? The understanding is that it is a 15-year lease. If they do not renew, who will be the new tenant or will the buildings sit empty?

The Hudson Logistics Center is the largest development project of New Hampshire. It is commonly referred to as the HLC. The developer Hillwood was aiming to break ground in November of 2020, but they have not been able to do it yet. While the Hudson Hudson Board of Selectmen (BOS) approved the Hudson Logistics Center project, they still have more permits to obtain. In addition to that there are some lawsuits and appeals outstanding.

It was thought that the HLC would create 1,400 direct, 420 indirect and 574 induced jobs for the local community, but with Hudson’s unemployment rate being 2.6% as of December 2021, where will these workers come from? The surrounding towns have either the same or even lower unemployment rates according to the Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NHES 27-Jan-22. Wherever they come from, it will mean more traffic and there have already been several issues dealing with traffic in this southern New Hampshire area.

Is this development the right fit for Hudson, NH? According to the town’s website, Hudson
“is a true treasure nestled in southern New Hampshire offering a nurturing and vibrant community generating a wonderful place to live and raise a family.” If the HLC is built, then along with the massive buildings visible at one of the main entrances to the town, the large trucks at a rate 6 per minute 7 days a week all 24 hours of the day may not feel that welcoming. Is this the best environment to teach a 16-year-old to drive. One slight mistake and a tragedy may occur. Of course one may argue that drivers will be better overall because they will learn to be very defensive around all the trucks.

Hudson, NH is in a great geographical location, less than an hour north of Boston, and from the seacoast. Some families look for an escape from the busy metropolitan area and its traffic and find Hudson.

Previously, real estate articles described Hudson, NH as a town “nestled along the Merrimack River”. However, the HLC plan is on land abutting the Merrimack River. There is also the possibility of another distribution center being built off of Lowell Road in Hudson. This too is land close to the Merrimack River. The view of large warehouse buildings will not add to the joy when boating down the river while breathing diesel fumes from the trucks crossing the Sagamore Bridge. Today, visitors and locals enjoy the local outdoor activities like hiking and biking, but will the areas be as plentiful if they are replaced with warehouses?

Is this what we want to happen, or how we wish Hudson, NH to grow?
Cast your votes accordingly on March 8th.