HUTTO — Up to 2,000 jobs could be created over the course of a decade when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos brings his space-exploration company to Hutto, officials announced Thursday.
Although discussions have been held and even incentives approved over the last few weeks, Blue Origin Manufacturing LLC confirmed Thursday it will build an advanced manufacturing and operations campus with about 1 million square feet of industrial research space along U.S. 79 between Innovation Boulevard and Alliance Boulevard, according to a press release.
A press statement from Hutto officials. said Blue Origin represents “an estimated $650 million investment creating up to 2,000 jobs.”
The job growth, according to various news sources, could take place over a 10-year period.
The facility will support Blue Origin’s satellite communications network and aerospace and defense manufacturing and is being referred to as “Constellation Park.”
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the project in unison with the city Oct. 8.
Blue Origin will receive an $18.17 million grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund and a $10,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus, according to the Governor’s Office.
“Texas is the launchpad to a future of possibilities,” Abbott said in a prepared release. “Blue Origin’s sizable expansion of their investment in Texas in support of their satellite communications network is a testament to the state’s leadership in the advanced manufacturing and space industries.”
The project adds Blue Origin to the growing list of major companies investing along Hutto’s 79 corridor, including Tesla and ASML, city officials said.
Not too far away in Taylor is the multibillion-dollar Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
“With this investment by Blue Origin and recent expansions by other industry leaders, Hutto is becoming an anchor point on the Highway 79 tech corridor,” Mayor Mike Snyder said in a news release.
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said the company will continue expanding its Texas operations, according to statement.
“We're proud to grow our footprint here in Texas, tap into the world-class talent this state has to offer, and help ensure America remains the leader in space innovation,” Limp said.
The company also will work with the Hutto Independent School District on paid high school internships and career and technical education programs.
Williamson County Judge Steve Snell said the initiative will create new opportunities for local students and workers.
“This project will create thousands of high-paying jobs while making a significant investment in our students, schools and future workforce,” Snell said.
The Williamson County Commissioners Court recently authorized an incentives agreement with firms linked to Blue Origin and the Hutto Crossing development team.
In August, the City Council and the Hutto Economic Development Corp. OK incentives for what at the time was called "Project Blue Hub."
Tech billionaire Bezos created Blue Origin in September 2000 in Kent, Washington, with a dream of helping humans explore space while also encouraging private-enterprise investment. The company has a launch facility near Van Horn in West Texas.
Blue Origin joins other space-related industries located in the greater Austin area, including Firefly in Cedar Park and Melagen Labs in Taylor. Bastrop County is a home to Elon Musk’s SpaceX manufacturing facility for StarLink satellites.
Williamson and Burnet counties have also partnered to create the nonprofit Central Texas Spaceport Development Corp.
