At a referendum in Bad Urach (Reutlingen district), a majority of voters spoke out against an Amazon distribution center in the Hengen district. According to the preliminary election results, 2,209 people (52.5 percent) voted against the settlement and 1,995 (47.5 percent) voted for it. A total of 9,389 people from Bad Urach were called to vote. Almost every second person followed the call to vote.
There had been arguments about the planned project in the region for months. Opponents, including a citizens’ initiative, warned of major traffic impacts. They feared that Amazon’s settlement could put other retailers around Bad Urach under pressure. Supporters, on the other hand, pointed to new jobs and tax revenue for the city. The mayor of Bad Urach, Elmar Rebmann (SPD), also spoke out in favor of the Amazon plans.
At least 150 new jobs
According to the city administration, the online retailer wanted to develop an area of four hectares. Parcels for the region should be sorted and delivered from the center. “Comparable locations show that modern buildings with logistical infrastructure are being built that also take ecological requirements such as green roofs into account,” the city advertised.
According to Amazon, 150 new jobs would have been created at the distribution center, and the company had also promised up to 400 additional positions such as drivers and in administration.