Approximately 1,000 full-time jobs with benefits are expected at the new facility.[/caption]

Online retail company Amazon began construction on its latest Texas distribution center in Katy on the west edge of town.

Construction on the 1 million-square-foot building, which the online shopping company calls a fulfillment center, started Feb. 28 and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2018, said Kayce Reina, the city of Katy’s director of tourism, marketing and public relations.

“We’re just excited that they’re willing to plant a flag in the Katy community,” Reina said.

The distribution center is located off I-10 and Hwy. 90 near Woods Road and is expected to bring in about 1,000 full-time jobs, according to a company press release.

Workers at the distribution center will pick, pack and ship customer orders, including electronics, sports gear and music equipment, the release said.

“This is their 10th [distribution center] and probably last one for awhile in Texas,” Reina said.

Amazon also has 10,000 employees working at seven locations in Coppell, Haslet, Dallas, Fort Worth, Schertz and San Marcos. New centers in Houston and Coppell are under construction.

“The fulfillment center is going to bring property tax and sales tax to the city of Katy,” Reina said. The presence of the facility could even help lower residential property taxes, she said.

“Katy Area EDC [Economic Development Council] began pursuing Amazon to locate in the area in 2015 as the company began examining options for construction of facilities in the Houston region,” Katy EDC President and CEO Lance LaCour said in an emailed statement.

LaCour said beginning in early 2016, the Katy Area EDC provided site selection, and real estate and other coordination efforts to the company for the new location, which is being developed by Duke Realty.

The Katy City Council approved an ordinance to annex and rezone the nearly 87 acres of land for the distribution center in March.

“We are thrilled to have a world-renowned company select our community for construction of its newest facility,” LaCour said. “This is a momentous day for Katy and further cements our position as a top destination for leading companies throughout the world. We are eager to work with Amazon moving forward.”