Nikola Motor Company has selected Buckeye, Arizona, for its hydrogen-electric semi-truck manufacturing headquarters facility.

The 1-million-square-foot facility will be located on the west side of Phoenix and could bring $1 billion in capital investment to the region by 2024, according to Nikola. Factors cited in its decision include the state’s pro-business environment, engineering schools, educated workforce, and a geographic location that provides direct access to major markets.

Nikola spent 12 months considering 30 site locations in nine states before settling on the Phoenix suburb.

“Arizona has the workforce to support our growth and a governor that was an entrepreneur himself. They understood what 2,000 jobs would mean to their cities and state,” said Trevor Milton, CEO and founder, Nikola Motor Company. “We will begin transferring our R&D and headquarters to Arizona immediately and hope to have the transition completed by October 2018.”

Development of the manufacturing plant on a 500-acre parcel of land is projected to begin by the end of 2019. The site is at one of the entrances to Douglas Ranch/Trillium, a new master planned community being developed by El Dorado Holdings and JDM Partners; this community is projected to ultimately be home to more than 300,000 residents.

“Conceived as the prototype smart city, Trillium at Douglas Ranch aligns well with Nikola Motors' groundbreaking technology,” said Jerry Colangelo, co-founder and partner with JDM Partners. “We look forward to working with everyone here to bring Nikola’s innovative products and their 2,000 professionals into this city of the future, creating a tremendous economic opportunity for Arizona.”