Amazon has recently opened its first distribution centers in Wyoming, located in Gillette and Casper, Cowboy State Daily reports.
The centers are expected to improve delivery times for customers within a 60-mile radius of these locations, providing faster service to residents in those areas. However, many rural communities in Wyoming continue to experience challenges with timely deliveries.
The opening of these two centers marks a significant development for the Cowboy State, as the new facilities promise to streamline Amazon’s shipping operations in the region. According to Scott Seroka, Amazon’s Regional spokesman for Wyoming and Montana, the decision to establish these centers was driven by data, focusing on areas with the highest customer demand. However, he could not confirm if more centers would be built in other Wyoming cities such as Cheyenne, Sheridan, or Jackson in the near future.
While the new centers in Gillette and Casper aim to enhance package deliveries, there are still issues with delivery services in other parts of the state. Weather-related delays have occasionally impacted deliveries, as seen in January when more than 13,000 packages piled up in Cheyenne due to staffing and logistical challenges within the US Postal Service. However, Seroka clarified that the new centers were not directly prompted by weather-related concerns.
Amazon has also introduced secure lockers and drop-off points in Wyoming, providing customers with additional options to receive packages safely, especially for those concerned about porch piracy or those who may not be home at the time of delivery.
The new delivery system in Gillette and Casper involves Amazon Flex drivers, who operate independently using their own vehicles. Much like ride-sharing services such as Uber, Flex drivers sign up for shifts through an app and follow designated routes to deliver packages. This system has helped meet the growing demand, especially during peak seasons, with each center handling approximately 4,000 deliveries per day.
While the new distribution centers have been welcomed by many, feedback from local customers has been mixed. Some Gillette residents reported issues with incorrect deliveries, such as packages being dropped off at the wrong address or delivery photos showing incorrect locations. Others, however, shared positive experiences, describing timely deliveries and good customer service.
In Casper, some residents have experienced similar issues, with packages being delivered to the wrong address multiple times. One resident, Misty Mason Sulzman, reported that her packages were sent to a neighboring street, causing frustration among her neighbors and repeated calls to Amazon for assistance. Some customers have also expressed dissatisfaction with the new Amazon Hub delivery system, which they feel has led to delays or missed deliveries.
Meanwhile, rural residents outside the service areas of the new centers, like John Ramer from the Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary near Cheyenne, continue to face significant delivery challenges. Despite using Amazon Business Prime for expedited shipping, Ramer has experienced delays in receiving heavy equipment and supplies, sometimes waiting weeks for delivery even with the promise of one- or two-day shipping.
With the US Postal Service planning to move much of Wyoming’s large mail processing to Casper and Billings, concerns about future delivery delays have grown. Ramer, for instance, noted that even with a premium shipping service, Amazon Business Prime has not met his expectations in terms of delivery speed.
