The great race to unpack what has to be the greatest package Amazon could ever deliver is heating up, with some cities feeling a little more nice than others.
As the world knows by now, Amazon has announced its intention to build a second North American headquarters, and it has received 238 proposals from cities and regions in 54 states, provinces, districts and territories across North America.
Whoever gets to unwrap the box is going to have a lot to be grateful for. The so-called HQ2 is going to rival in size and scope the current headquarters in Seattle. According to the company’s website, the company will invest over $5 billion in construction and grow this second headquarters to include as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs.
The Seattle headquarters has 33 buildings and 8.1 million square feet. Amazon says its investments in Seattle from 2010 to 2016 created $38 billion for the city’s economy.
No wonder Amazon is on the top of everyone’s wish list.
Atlanta, GA (also the home of the premier global association for corporate real estate) ranked high in several analyses but, according to the Huffington Post, not so much when you consider climate vulnerability.
Officials in Pittsburgh say that regardless of the decision, the competition has been a great opportunity for the Iron City to tout its strengths. In fact, GeekWire thinks Pittsburgh has a pretty good chance.
But others say the whole exercise amounts to one big lump of coal, a stunt to wring economic incentives out of jurisdictions.
Amazon says it will make the decision in 2018. You better watch out.