SPOKANE, Wash. — Editor's note: The above video from October outlines Spokane County's initial plans for Geiger Blvd.
Spokane County leaders announced the beginning of expansion for a road to serve a new Amazon Distribution Center near Spokane.
Construction is beginning on the Geiger Boulevard Infrastructure Improvement Project.
Spokane County and the Washington State Department of Transportation held a groundbreaking ceremony in front of the new Amazon Distribution Center at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
The "Partners in Progress" groundbreaking included Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Washington state Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar and Amazon Senior Manager for Economic Development Tom Florino, according to Wheatley-Billeter.
Spokane Mayor David Condon, the Spokane County Board of Commissioner and other state legislators also attended.
In October, Spokane County leaders told KREM that Geiger Boulevard has a potential to attract new businesses and spur economic growth.
Spokane County planners spent months working to secure a $16.1 million federal grant to help improve the area. This is in addition to $28.6 million in non-federal funds committed by the county and its partners.
The plan includes expanding the road and installing sewer and water line so nearby land can be developed.
County leaders said in October that the improvements would support more than 3,000 new jobs and 1,300 new residents.
In October, Spokane County Commissioner Al French said three new businesses are expected to open on the West Plains sometime next year.
In April, the West Plains Airport Area Public Development Authority and Mullen Technologies, Inc. announced that they signed a letter of intent to build 1.3 million square-feet of office and manufacturing space for an electric sports car company.
The company would bring approximately 55 jobs at startup, with a projected increase to 863 jobs by 2026 in manufacturing the high-performance electric sports car.
The company has also expressed interest in bringing its research and development for lithium batteries to Spokane, which could increase the project job count to nearly 3,000.