Key Takeaways
• Amazon opened a delivery hub at Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, approved April 2025, improving rural package deliveries.
• The hub uses a shipping container warehouse with daily box truck deliveries from Billings, serving a 60-minute radius.
• Amazon’s $4 billion rural investment aims to create 100,000 jobs nationally, including jobs in Cody’s new delivery hub.
Amazon Brings New Delivery Hub to Yellowstone Regional Airport: What It Means for Cody, Wyoming
Amazon is setting up a new delivery hub at Yellowstone Regional Airport (YRA) in Cody, Wyoming, marking a major step in the company’s push to reach rural communities across the United States 🇺🇸. The project, which received final approval in April 2025, is expected to improve delivery times, create new job opportunities, and provide a boost to the local economy. Here’s a detailed look at what this means for residents, businesses, and the broader region.
Amazon’s Expansion: Who, What, When, Where, and Why
Who: Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, is behind the new delivery hub. The project involves collaboration with Yellowstone Regional Airport’s board and the City of Cody’s planning authorities.
What: The company will establish a small warehouse—officially called the “Amazon Storage Unit project”—at the airport. This facility will act as a transfer point for packages, streamlining the last-mile delivery process for Cody and surrounding areas.
When: The lease was approved by the airport board on April 9, 2025, followed by city planning approval on April 15, 2025. The project was publicly reported in the Cody Journal on May 16, 2025, and is expected to begin operations soon after.
Where: The delivery hub will be located at Yellowstone Regional Airport, just outside the main terminal, using an existing parking area.
Why: Amazon’s move is part of a $4 billion investment to expand its delivery network into rural America. The goal is to provide faster, more reliable delivery services to small towns and rural communities that have often been underserved by traditional logistics networks.
How the Delivery Hub Will Work
The new Amazon facility at Yellowstone Regional Airport will operate differently from the company’s larger fulfillment centers in major cities. Here’s how the process will work:
- Shipping Container Warehouse: Instead of a large building, Amazon will use a shipping container placed on an existing parking lot near the airport terminal. This keeps the footprint small and the setup efficient.
- Daily Deliveries from Billings: Each morning, a box truck will arrive from Amazon’s larger warehouse in Billings, Montana. The truck will carry packages already sorted by delivery route.
- Amazon Flex Drivers: Local drivers, using their own vehicles and working through the Amazon Flex program, will pick up packages from the shipping container and deliver them directly to customers’ doors.
- Service Area: The delivery hub will serve customers within a 60-minute drive from the airport, covering Cody and nearby communities.
- Return to Billings: After the morning transfer, the box truck will return to Billings, ready to repeat the process the next day.
This approach allows Amazon to quickly scale up delivery services in rural areas without the need for large, expensive facilities.
Why Cody, Wyoming?
Cody, located near the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is a gateway to some of Wyoming’s most scenic and remote areas. Residents have long faced challenges with slow or inconsistent package delivery, especially during peak seasons or bad weather. By establishing a delivery hub at Yellowstone Regional Airport, Amazon aims to:
- Reduce delivery times for local customers
- Increase reliability, even in winter months
- Support local businesses that rely on timely shipments
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Amazon’s rural expansion strategy is designed to close the delivery gap between urban and rural America, ensuring that customers in smaller towns receive the same level of service as those in big cities.
What the Project Means for Local Infrastructure
During meetings with the airport board, Amazon representatives explained that the new delivery hub would bring about 50 cars per day to the facility. This includes:
- Five trips by Amazon Flex drivers arriving and departing
- Six or seven rounds of drivers picking up packages from the box truck
While this represents an increase in traffic, the airport board determined that the impact on local roads would be minimal. In fact, the improved infrastructure could benefit the airport in the long run by attracting more business and investment.
Lease Terms and Future Prospects
The Yellowstone Regional Airport Board approved a one-year lease with Amazon, with the option to extend for another two years. While the immediate financial impact on the airport’s budget is expected to be modest, board members see this as a strategic move. By building a relationship with Amazon now, the airport positions itself for potential future expansion if the delivery hub proves successful.
Amazon’s $4 Billion Rural Investment: National Context
The Cody delivery hub is just one part of Amazon’s much larger plan to invest $4 billion in rural America. Announced on April 30, 2025, this initiative aims to:
- Create over 100,000 new jobs in rural communities across the United States 🇺🇸
- Add about 170 jobs at each new delivery station, plus additional opportunities for drivers through the Amazon Flex and Delivery Service Partner (DSP) programs
- Offer full-time roles with average hourly wages nearly three times the federal minimum wage, along with benefits like health care from day one
- Drive local economic growth, with research showing that Amazon’s investments have already generated $500 million in economic activity in small towns and rural areas
For more details on Amazon’s rural delivery network, visit Amazon’s official newsroom.
Opportunities for Local Businesses: The Hub Delivery Program
One of the most promising aspects of Amazon’s rural expansion is the Hub Delivery Program. This initiative allows local businesses—such as coffee shops, florists, and convenience stores—to participate in package delivery. By joining the program, businesses can:
- Earn up to $27,000 in extra income per year
- Help deliver Amazon packages to customers in their community
- Increase foot traffic and build stronger relationships with local residents
For example, a local coffee shop in Cody could sign up for the Hub Delivery Program, receive packages each morning, and have staff deliver them to nearby homes and businesses. This not only provides a new revenue stream but also strengthens the local economy by keeping delivery dollars within the community.
Real-World Impact: What Residents and Businesses Can Expect
Faster, More Reliable Deliveries
For Cody residents, the most immediate benefit will be quicker and more predictable package deliveries. Instead of waiting several days for items to arrive from distant warehouses, customers can expect next-day or even same-day service for many products.
Scenario:
Imagine a family in Cody ordering school supplies online. With the new delivery hub, those items could arrive the very next day, even during busy back-to-school season. This level of service was previously only available in larger cities.
New Job Opportunities
The arrival of Amazon’s delivery hub will create new jobs for local drivers through the Amazon Flex program. Drivers use their own vehicles, set their own schedules, and get paid per delivery route. This flexible work model is especially attractive for:
- Stay-at-home parents looking for part-time income
- Retirees seeking supplemental earnings
- Students balancing work with school
In addition, the Hub Delivery Program opens up opportunities for small business owners to diversify their income streams.
Boost to Local Economy
Amazon’s investment is expected to have a ripple effect throughout the Cody area. As more packages flow through the airport, local businesses that rely on timely shipments—such as retailers, repair shops, and service providers—will benefit from improved logistics. The presence of a major company like Amazon can also attract other businesses and investors to the region.
Minimal Impact on Traffic and Environment
While some residents may worry about increased traffic, the airport board’s analysis suggests that the impact will be limited. The use of a shipping container instead of a large warehouse keeps the facility’s footprint small, and the daily flow of vehicles is manageable for existing infrastructure.
Community Response and Recognition
The Cody community has already taken notice of Amazon’s plans. Local media, including the Powell Tribune, reported on the project in May 2025, highlighting the potential benefits for residents and businesses. Community leaders have expressed optimism that the delivery hub will:
- Improve access to goods and services
- Create new economic opportunities
- Strengthen Cody’s position as a regional hub for commerce and tourism
How Amazon Flex Works: A Closer Look
For those interested in becoming Amazon Flex drivers, the process is straightforward:
- Sign Up Online: Prospective drivers can apply through the Amazon Flex website.
- Background Check: Amazon conducts a standard background check to ensure safety and reliability.
- Download the App: Drivers use the Amazon Flex app to receive delivery routes and track packages.
- Pick Up Packages: Each morning, drivers arrive at the Yellowstone Regional Airport hub, collect their assigned packages, and begin deliveries.
- Get Paid: Drivers are paid per route, with earnings deposited directly into their bank accounts.
This flexible work model allows drivers to choose when and how often they want to work, making it an attractive option for many in the Cody area.
What’s Next for Cody and Yellowstone Regional Airport?
The establishment of Amazon’s delivery hub is just the beginning. If the project proves successful, there is potential for further expansion. This could include:
- A larger warehouse facility if package volumes increase
- Additional job opportunities as the delivery network grows
- More local businesses joining the Hub Delivery Program
The airport board’s decision to approve a one-year lease with the option to extend reflects a cautious but optimistic approach. By partnering with Amazon, Yellowstone Regional Airport positions itself as a key player in the region’s logistics network.
Practical Guidance for Residents and Businesses
If you live in Cody or the surrounding area, here’s what you can do to take advantage of Amazon’s new delivery hub:
- Sign up for Amazon Flex if you’re interested in flexible driving work
- Contact Amazon about joining the Hub Delivery Program if you own a local business
- Monitor local news for updates on the project’s progress and any new opportunities
- Share feedback with the airport board or city officials to help shape future developments
For official information on business licensing and regulations in Wyoming, visit the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Business Division.
Conclusion: A New Era for Rural Delivery in Wyoming
Amazon’s decision to establish a delivery hub at Yellowstone Regional Airport marks a turning point for Cody and the surrounding region. By bringing faster, more reliable delivery services, creating new job opportunities, and supporting local businesses, the project promises to deliver lasting benefits for the community.
As Amazon continues its $4 billion investment in rural America, Cody stands as a model for how small towns can partner with major companies to drive economic growth and improve quality of life. According to VisaVerge.com, these kinds of partnerships are essential for closing the service gap between urban and rural areas, ensuring that all Americans—no matter where they live—have access to the goods and services they need.
Residents, businesses, and local leaders now have a unique opportunity to shape the future of delivery and commerce in Wyoming. By embracing innovation and working together, Cody can look forward to a brighter, more connected future.
Sources:
[1] Cody Journal, May 16, 2025
[2] Amazon Hub Delivery Program
[3] Powell Tribune, May 20, 2025
[5] Amazon’s April 30, 2025 Announcement
VisaVerge.com
Official Government Resource:
Wyoming Secretary of State’s Business Division
Learn Today
Amazon Flex → A program where local drivers use their vehicles to deliver packages on flexible schedules.
Last-mile delivery → The final transportation step delivering packages directly from a hub to customers’ doorsteps.
Shipping container warehouse → A compact storage facility using a modified shipping container for package transfers.
Delivery Service Partner (DSP) → Independent businesses contracted by Amazon to manage package deliveries.
Lease agreement → A contract granting Amazon the right to use airport property for a defined period.
This Article in a Nutshell
Amazon launched a new delivery hub at Yellowstone Regional Airport, enhancing rural logistics. This $4 billion project improves delivery speed, creates local jobs through Amazon Flex, and supports Cody’s economy, epitomizing how rural towns collaborate with major companies for economic and service growth nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
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