Amazon logo. (David Ryder/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- It isn't their second headquarters--but on Tuesday, Amazon formally announced their expansion of operations in Boston.
It's something that the public was already aware of, after Mayor Marty Walsh said back in February that he was excited to hear the E-commerce giant was looking to rent buildings in the Seaport District:
Amazon Looking For Office Space In Boston's Seaport District
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he's excited to hear Amazon is looking for more space in the city.
But with the official announcement, it is now known just how big this Amazon tech hub will be. Though documents filed with the city that WBZ NewsRadio 1030 reported on in February showed the company was looking to rent one or two buildings and take up about a million square feet, Tuesday's announcement said the expansion would amount to seven and a half million square feet.
The expanded Boston Tech Hub is slated to open in 2021, bringing with it 2,000 jobs.
"We're glad that it's resolved now and that Amazon board voted to approve the addition here in Boston, and we're excited about it," Mayor Walsh said.
James Rooney, head of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens that the announcement underscores the fact that this area has a lot of smart people.
"Boston not only produces a lot of people that can work in the scientific community, but attracts a lot of people as well," he said. "So I think it reinforces our competitive advantage is talent."
Amazon already has a large presence in Massachusetts, with more than 3,500 full-time jobs created there and over $400 million invested in the state since 2011.
Boston On Amazon's List For Second HQ
Boston has made Amazon's short-list of cities to place its second headquarters.
In addition, Boston is still in the running for Amazon's HQ2.
There's no word on when that will be announced.
"It's two very different distinct processes that are happening," Walsh said. "I mean, I don't think we can read into anything that Amazon is going to come to Boston now because of this increase in jobs here, so, we'll see what happens."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports