Buckeye, Arizona is opening its arms to a new heavyweight in the logistics arena, as Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. sets its sights on the rapidly expanding city for its latest freight terminal. The project has received the green light from Buckeye's planning commission, an endorsement that pushes forward Old Dominion's plans to convert an expanse of residential acreage into a bustling hub for "less-than-truckload" operations.
The North Carolina-based company applied for a general plan amendment and rezoning for nearly 160 acres in Buckeye, marking a significant shift from residential to industrial zoning, and the company's expansive new facility promises to offer both economic vigor and numerous job opportunities to the local community, and with the planning commission's thumbs-up at the Feb. 13 meeting, the wheels are definitely in motion for this development. According to coverage from ABC15 News, the establishment's hefty layout will encompass 200 dock doors with the potential for an additional 50, plus a maintenance shop, which Old Dominion proposes to erect on an 80-acre slice of the property.
Eyeing an increase in local employment, Old Dominion is projecting between 300 to 350 new jobs with an average median annual salary of around $80,000, a figure poised to inject a shot of affluence into the economic bloodstream of Buckeye. A company spokesperson told The Business Journal, "The project aligns well with the long-term growth of the city and transportation corridors such as State Route 85, the Buckeye airport and the future Interstate 11.",
With four existing facilities in Arizona already, including one in Tolleson and another in Mesa that sprang up to meet pandemic-fueled demand, Old Dominion is no stranger to the Grand Canyon state, and their Buckeye terminal, their fifth in Arizona will not only consolidate their presence but also synergize with the nearby infrastructural endeavors, such as the sprawling 2,000-acre Buckeye Tech Corridor also recommended for approval on Feb. 13. None can ignore the magnetic pull of Buckeye for industrial developers due to its proximity to the California ports and exploding population growth, a pull that seems to only be growing stronger as more companies like Old Dominion hitch their wagon to Buckeye's star.
