City welcomes shipping leader Maersk to Hesperia Commerce Center
Maersk, a global logistics and container shipping leader, plans to expand into the Hesperia Commerce Center.
City officials announced this week that the move by Maersk marks a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to bolster economic growth and create job opportunities.
Maersk is set to operate from the newly developed Hesperia Commerce Center, which spans over 1.2 million square feet of industrial space at the facility located at 8140 Caliente Road west of Interstate 15.
The addition of Maersk marks the fourth largest deal in terms of total square footage originally signed in the Inland Empire in 2023, city officials stated.
Hesperia's infrastructure, workforce, and business environment, along with its access to major highways and ports, position it as an ideal choice for companies like Maersk, according to the city.
500 job opportunities
Once open and fully staffed, Maersk will be one of the largest private employers in Hesperia, bringing an estimated 500 new employment opportunities for residents.
"Maersk's decision to invest in Hesperia reaffirms the city's position as a prime destination for enterprises seeking growth and success, and we are grateful for their decision to operate in our community," said Hesperia Mayor Larry Bird in a written statement. "This expansion signifies economic progress, and we are committed to attracting businesses that offer quality jobs, ultimately reducing commute times and enhancing the lives of our residents."
With the addition of several new tenants, the recent growth at the Hesperia Commerce Center further highlights the region's appeal for businesses to grow and thrive in the Mojave River Valley, city leaders said.
"We are delighted to continue Maersk's global contract logistics expansion in 2024, marked by the inauguration of our new facility spanning 1,227,600 million square feet in Hesperia,” said Jason Walker, head of Maersk Contract Logistics, North America.
While most residents are thankful that Maersk’s addition to the High Desert will bring jobs, some are concerned that vehicles associated with the logistics center will further congest traffic on Interstate 15 and the Cajon Pass.
“Maersk’s opening up job opportunities is a great thing for those living in the High Desert, we definitely need them,” Hesperia resident Joe Willis told the Daily Press. “My main concern is the added semi-truck traffic on Interstate 15. It’s already a nightmare.”
The city has not announced a timeline for the opening of the Maersk facility.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: City welcomes shipping leader Maersk to Hesperia Commerce Center
