HispanicBusiness

Amazon.com, the Seattle-based online retailer, confirmed Wednesday that it will build three fulfillment centers in Texas, including a 1.1-million-square-foot facility in the sprawling Alliance development in far north Fort Worth.

The three sites, including a 1.2-million-square-foot site in Schertz, east of San Antonio, and a 1-million-square-foot center in Coppell, will create about 1,000 jobs, Amazon said.

The Alliance site, in Haslet, is under construction, with a slab and piers in place.

The facility, expected to open in mid-August, will handle smaller items such as books, small electronics and DVDs. The two other centers will handle larger items such as televisions, Amazon said.

The company did not specify how many people will work in Haslet.

That center will be on the south side of Westport Parkway and west of Intermodal Parkway, between Interstate 35W and Farm Road 156, records show.

"We appreciate the state and local elected officials who have helped us make this exciting investment in the state of Texas," Mike Roth, Amazon's vice president of North American fulfillment, said in a statement.

Haslet Mayor Bob Golden said in a statement: "This is the biggest economic development partnership announcement in the history of our city. The jobs and potential tax base that this development will bring to our community is a major milestone in our city's growth."

Westport Park No. 7, a limited partnership affiliated with Hillwood Development, owned by Dallas businessman Ross Perot Jr., is building the project on 68 acres just southwest of Alliance Airport. Amazon signed a 15-year lease for the site in November.

A separate business entity owned by Perot is building the Coppell center. USAA Real Estate Co. is building the project in South Texas.

In April, Amazon agreed to pay sales tax starting July 1, create 2,500 jobs in the state and invest at least $200 million over four years to settle a $269 million sales tax bill the company owed the state.

Amazon once proposed adding 6,000 jobs and $300 million in capital investments in exchange for a 41/2-year tax holiday, but the Legislature rejected the offer in 2011.

Amazon closed an Irving facility during the dispute.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said Wednesday in a statement that the state is pleased with Amazon's efforts here.

"I thank Amazon for working with us -- making it possible to bring new jobs and revenue to the state of Texas," she said.