As a result of Yahoo's plans to cut its global staff by about 15 percent, a spokesperson for the company confirms to 7 Eyewitness News "very minor" layoffs were made to the data processing and customer care centers in Lockport.
She would not say how many jobs were cut or what the positions were.
Going forward, Lockport Town Supervisor Mark Crocker says he's unaware of any plans for more local layoffs. Crocker says his staff speaks with Yahoo executives on a weekly basis to stay on top of plans for layoffs or expansion.
Crocker says since Yahoo opened, the $750 million site has exceeded the town's expectations. Yahoo promised to hire 190 people in their first five years in Lockport. In just the first two years, they currently employ 202 people.
"This is a vibrant facility," said Crocker. "It's very active, they're even considering expanding further in the Industrial Development Park that they currently are located and we're very optimistic that this trend will continue."
According to Yahoo, the layoffs are primarily focused on phasing out its Digital Magazines, including content like Yahoo Food, Health, Parenting, etc.
In an email conversation, the spokesperson for Yahoo said, "Yahoo remains committed to Lockport and Western New York. Just last year, we opened the doors on our new data center and customer care center, and we've invested more than half a billion dollars since we first came to Western New York in 2009."
According to Crocker, Yahoo is in year two of a 20 year agreement to conduct business in the town.
