New Amazon facility opens in Desert Hot Springs, could create 2,000 jobs

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Amazon is opening a new 635,000 square foot facility in Desert Hot Springs. Officials say the facility will create more than 2,000 local jobs.

"We have over 10,000 people leave our community every day to work somewhere in retail, medical, hospitality. And so having these jobs local for a working community is huge. They don't have to travel as far," says Mayor Scott Matas.

The facility is called an inbound cross dock, meaning employees sort and organize inventory before sending it off to fulfillment centers, which then ship packages to customers.

"From here it will go to 40 of the fulfillment centers for Amazon," says Bharat Thakre, the site leader for the facility.

Thakre says around 70 trucks will arrive at the facility each day and that Amazon has worked closely with the city to mitigate potential traffic issues.

"The idea is to be a step ahead of it and preempt any of the conditions and concerns that might show up eventually," says Thakre.