Stockton, Calif. — Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle and clean energy company founded by Elon Musk, has become the second-largest private sector employer in San Joaquin County, following closely behind retail giant Amazon. This distinction highlights the growing importance of high-tech and sustainable industries in the region's employment landscape.
Tesla’s significant local presence is centered around its Megapack factory in Lathrop, which, prior to recent cutbacks, boasted a workforce of 3,600 employees. Despite a global reduction of 14,000 employees, or 10 percent of its workforce, the company continues to play a crucial role in the county's economy. Many residents also commute to Tesla's electric vehicle assembly plant in Fremont, further cementing its status as a key employer in the area.
The Lathrop facility is notable for being one of North America's largest utility-scale battery factories, with an impressive output capacity of 10,000 Megapack units annually, which translates to 40 GWh of clean energy storage. These large, truck trailer-sized batteries are designed not for cars or homes but to store surplus power from the electrical grid and distribute it as needed, enhancing grid reliability and reducing the need for gas peaker plants.
Meanwhile, Amazon maintains the top spot as the largest private sector employer in San Joaquin County with over 13,000 workers across its 11 distribution facilities. The company's investment in the region has been instrumental in reshaping the local job market, especially in distribution and fulfillment, which now employs 17 percent of the county's workforce.
The transformation of the local economy is evident when comparing the current unemployment rate of 7.5 percent to the rate twelve years ago, which exceeded 15 percent. The influx of jobs from major companies like Amazon and Tesla, alongside a burgeoning manufacturing sector, has significantly contributed to this improvement.
As San Joaquin County continues to attract and grow major businesses, the economic landscape appears increasingly robust, promising more opportunities and stability for its residents. Tesla's rise as a major employer is a testament to the region's growing appeal to innovative and forward-thinking industries.
