Amazon confirms land purchase in northeast Nevada as it plans to increase its presence in rural areas.
By Jason Hidalgo, Reno Gazette Journal, July 31, 2025
Amazon is expanding its footprint in rural Nevada as the global retail company purchased land for its logistics operations.
Amazon confirmed that it just closed on land in the city of Wells, which is located about 50 miles northeast of Elko.
The project is part of Amazon’s plans to expand its delivery network in locations such as Elko County and northeast Nevada while also providing employment opportunities for rural residents. The company will build a new delivery station at the location, which will support about 100 jobs.
“Amazon’s presence in Wells will support customers, strengthen the regional economy, and open new doors for people looking to grow their careers close to home,” said Tareq Wafaie, Amazon’s manager of economic development policy.
Amazon project will be a good boost for northeastern Nevada, according to local leaders
Wafaie credited city leaders and regional stakeholders for helping make the new project possible.
Wells Mayor Gary Pollock called the new Amazon facility a reflection of the city’s potential.
“Wells is well-positioned for smart and sustainable growth,” Pollock said.
“Amazon’s decision to invest here shows that national employers are taking notice, and this project will help spark even more development across Elko County.”
Sheldon Mudd, executive director of the Northeastern Nevada Regional Development Authority, echoed Pollock’s comments.
Mudd described the Amazon project as a vote of confidence in northeast Nevada’s workforce, infrastructure and long-term growth.
“This project sends a clear message to the business community,” Mudd said. “Companies like Amazon see real value in northeastern Nevada.”
Wells project is the latest example of Amazon’s increased focus in delivery stations
The Wells project is the latest in a growing number of delivery stations being built by Amazon.
The company called its delivery centers “the backbone of Amazon’s last-mile logistics system,” and continues to prioritize their construction .
In 2024, for example, Amazon announced that it will be closing its longtime fulfillment center in north Reno by August this year. At the same time, Amazon filed a permit to construct a smaller delivery center in south Reno.
“We weigh a variety of factors when deciding where we open new facilities, enhance existing facilities, and close others — including business need as well as how we can best improve the experience for employees, customers and partners,” Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly told the Reno Gazette Journal at the time.
Since 2010, Amazon says it has invested more than $14.5 billion throughout Nevada. The number includes infrastructure projects and employee compensation, according to Amazon.
In addition to creating more than 20,000 jobs — including full-time and part-time work — Amazon’s investments have created an additional 28,100 indirect jobs in sectors such as construction, logistics and professional services, according to the company.
The upcoming Wells facility is also part of Amazon’s $4 billion national initiative to expand its coverage for product deliveries across small towns and rural communities.
“Once complete, the expanded network will span over 13,000 ZIP codes and allow Amazon to deliver more than a billion additional packages each year across regions equal in size to California, Texas, and Alaska combined,” Amazon said.