Amazon in the Borderplex Tristate 2021
By: Alejandra Aragon
Rendering of Amazon Distribution Center in El Paso, Texas (Credit: City of El Paso)
Back in 2018, El Paso, amongst other cities, was on a list of considerations for Amazon’s second headquarters, HQ2. The city was rejected for the HQ2 but the rejection was taken with a grain of salt or in this case, sand! The silver lining being, the Amazon proposal would bring international attention to the region, helping recruit other companies to the area in the future. However, the region still caught the attention of Amazon and on July 22, 2020 they announced their plans to open its first fulfillment center right here in our Sun City. The 625,000 square-foot center will be located along Rojas Drive and 1-10 in the far east of the city and is anticipated to begin operating in 2021.
It is no secret that we are a city built of strong and proud communities! We have shown to be “El Paso Strong” through our response to the tragic event of the Walmart shooting and now through the global pandemic of the coronavirus. To empower our “El Paso strong” culture and show will not be defined by such events, “Amazon is the beacon of light out there right now,” County Judge Samaniego says. El Paso was selected because it is a tristate, in the proximity of two countries making it a strategic location. The city has one of the largest bi-national, bi-cultural, bi-lingual workforces in the western hemisphere making us a great region for business opportunities for the company.
The Amazon fulfillment center will be akin to a warehouse where products are stored, picked, packaged and distributed to customers. Employees will be working alongside Amazon robotics! The center is bringing in 750 jobs to the region and will have industry-leading pay of $15 an hour, double the city’s minimum wage. Also ensuring worker welfare, it comes with medical, vision and dental insurance. They will be doing a 401k match program, meaning they will contribute to your retirement savings plan based on your annual contributions. Wait! They aren’t forgetting about families and are providing 20 weeks of paid maternal and parental leave. These are just a few of the benefits and there will be more comprehensive benefits as well. Amazon is truly committed to taking care of their employees!
Not only is the fulfillment center allocating 750 jobs, but the construction of the facility will support hundreds of construction jobs. Methodology developed by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, estimates Amazon to have created 32,000+ indirect jobs on top of the direct hires done by the company already here in Texas! The new fulfillment facility will only make the numbers go up. Mayor Dee Margo said, “ The new facility will be a win for El Paso as small businesses ranging from retail, hospitality to manufacturing reap the benefits for years to come.” Amazon has already made investments in Texas that have contributed 9 million into the Texan economy. Amazon will have a great economic impact, bringing direct and indirect investments to the city. On top of this, it will open the doors to: engineering, mathematics, robotics science and technology.
In conclusion, it is to say the Amazon fulfilment center will bring in much positivity to the city of El Paso. Why El Paso? Why not! We have got resourceful land, we are a tristate with the largest bi-national, bi-cultural, bi-lingual workforce; reaping benefits on both ends of this new development. Employees will be compensated greatly, and it is reassuring to know Amazon is considerate of the employees’ families which tends to be an issue overlooked by other employers. The economic boost that this fulfilment center will bring to the region will be exponential and broaden the horizons!
“Picks up” & keep on “El Paso Strong”!
Back in 2018, El Paso, amongst other cities, was on a list of considerations for Amazon’s second headquarters, HQ2. The city was rejected for the HQ2 but the rejection was taken with a grain of salt or in this case, sand! The silver lining being, the Amazon proposal would bring international attention to the region, helping recruit other companies to the area in the future. However, the region still caught the attention of Amazon and on July 22, 2020 they announced their plans to open its first fulfillment center right here in our Sun City. The 625,000 square-foot center will be located along Rojas Drive and 1-10 in the far east of the city and is anticipated to begin operating in 2021.
It is no secret that we are a city built of strong and proud communities! We have shown to be “El Paso Strong” through our response to the tragic event of the Walmart shooting and now through the global pandemic of the coronavirus. To empower our “El Paso strong” culture and show will not be defined by such events, “Amazon is the beacon of light out there right now,” County Judge Samaniego says. El Paso was selected because it is a tristate, in the proximity of two countries making it a strategic location. The city has one of the largest bi-national, bi-cultural, bi-lingual workforces in the western hemisphere making us a great region for business opportunities for the company.
The Amazon fulfillment center will be akin to a warehouse where products are stored, picked, packaged and distributed to customers. Employees will be working alongside Amazon robotics! The center is bringing in 750 jobs to the region and will have industry-leading pay of $15 an hour, double the city’s minimum wage. Also ensuring worker welfare, it comes with medical, vision and dental insurance. They will be doing a 401k match program, meaning they will contribute to your retirement savings plan based on your annual contributions. Wait! They aren’t forgetting about families and are providing 20 weeks of paid maternal and parental leave. These are just a few of the benefits and there will be more comprehensive benefits as well. Amazon is truly committed to taking care of their employees!
Not only is the fulfillment center allocating 750 jobs, but the construction of the facility will support hundreds of construction jobs. Methodology developed by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, estimates Amazon to have created 32,000+ indirect jobs on top of the direct hires done by the company already here in Texas! The new fulfillment facility will only make the numbers go up. Mayor Dee Margo said, “ The new facility will be a win for El Paso as small businesses ranging from retail, hospitality to manufacturing reap the benefits for years to come.” Amazon has already made investments in Texas that have contributed 9 million into the Texan economy. Amazon will have a great economic impact, bringing direct and indirect investments to the city. On top of this, it will open the doors to: engineering, mathematics, robotics science and technology.
In conclusion, it is to say the Amazon fulfilment center will bring in much positivity to the city of El Paso. Why El Paso? Why not! We have got resourceful land, we are a tristate with the largest bi-national, bi-cultural, bi-lingual workforce; reaping benefits on both ends of this new development. Employees will be compensated greatly, and it is reassuring to know Amazon is considerate of the employees’ families which tends to be an issue overlooked by other employers. The economic boost that this fulfilment center will bring to the region will be exponential and broaden the horizons!
“Picks up” & keep on “El Paso Strong”!
