Some Gorham Residents Are Not Happy About Amazon Coming To Town

Plans for a new Amazon distribution center and warehouse in Gorham, Maine, have become a hot-button topic, drawing strong opinions from residents and officials as the project moves forward.

According to the Portland Press Herald, last year, the Gorham Town Council voted 5-2 to authorize the sale of roughly 94 acres of town-owned land along Main Street to Amazon for $4 million, marking a major step toward bringing a distribution facility to southern Maine.

The sale is contingent upon permitting and approvals from local and state agencies. Amazon has filed preliminary plans for a warehouse and distribution center spanning approximately 146,000 to 158,000 square feet.

Supporters see the project as an economic opportunity. Proponents argue the center could bring jobs to the region, expand the tax base, and improve delivery times for online shoppers across Maine. Town leaders who backed the deal have stressed the importance of attracting business investment to help balance local taxes and support future growth.

However, not everyone is on board. At recent meetings, many residents voiced concerns about the facility’s impact on traffic, noise, and the environment, especially for neighbors living near the proposed site. Some held signs like “Stop This SCAMazon!” while others questioned the quality of jobs the center might offer or whether the deal was transparent enough.

Critics also worry about the strain on infrastructure and potential declines in property values, and some feel that the community wasn’t given enough input early on before the land sale vote.

As Amazon moves through the permitting process, public hearings and planning board reviews will provide further opportunities for input, keeping the debate alive in Gorham.