OT: Philadelpha and Pittsburgh on "short" list of cities for Amazon's 2nd headquarters

[Lion8286]

Amazon has released a "short" list of cities it's considering for its second headquarters.

But the list isn't exactly short. The 20 potential cities include Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Montgomery County in Maryland, Nashville, Newark, New York City, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Toronto and Washington D.C.

Last year, Amazon (AMZN) received bids from 238 cities and regions from across 54 states, provinces, districts and territories across North America. The company said it would make a decision in 2018.

Called HQ2, the new facility will cost at least $5 billion to construct and operate, and will create as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs.

"Getting from 238 to 20 was very tough - all the proposals showed tremendous enthusiasm and creativity," Holly Sullivan of Amazon Public Policy said in a statement. "Through this process we learned about many new communities across North America that we will consider as locations for future infrastructure investment and job creation."

http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/18/technology/amazon-hq2-short-list/index.html

 

[Obliviax]

- Atlanta
- Austin, Texas
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Denver
- Indianapolis
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Montgomery County, Maryland
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Newark, New Jersey
- New York City
- Northern Virginia
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Raleigh, N.C.
- Toronto
- Washington D.C.

 

[sluggo72]

- Atlanta
- Austin, Texas
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Denver
- Indianapolis
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Montgomery County, Maryland
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Newark, New Jersey
- New York City
- Northern Virginia
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Raleigh, N.C.
- Toronto
- Washington D.C.

any guesses? Mine Austin, Nashville .

 

[psuro]

Austin makes sense, and I would imagine land is relatively cheap. Plus, a good supply of young labor.

 

[NittPicker]

Since fewer younger people nowadays feel like it's a necessity to own a car, I think the winner will be a city with a reliable and extensive public transit system. I realize that won't be priority #1 but it will help attract young qualified employees who don't want to own a car.

 

[Woodpecker]

I'll predict Northern Virginia

 

[BobPSU92]

TAX. INCENTIVES.

I'm surprised Newark is on the list. Like Amazon is going to end up there.

 

[Lionguy32]

TAX. INCENTIVES.

I'm surprised Newark is one the list. Like Amazon is going to end up there.

It's close to New York City at a fraction of the price with better public transportation than most of the other cities on the list. On the downside, it's also a bit of a hole.

 

[mrtailgate]

Look at combo of local academic talent, reasonable housing pre AMZN, and tax structure.

I'd think Austin, Raleigh, and Nashville.

 

[mrtailgate]

Slim and none.

 

[BobPSU92]

It's close to New York City at a fraction of the price with better public transportation than most of the other cities on the list. On the downside, it's also a bit of a hole.

New Jersey is expensive and crowded. Amazon won't set up shop there. Not a chance.

 

[PennState1997]

It's close to New York City at a fraction of the price with better public transportation than most of the other cities on the list. On the downside, it's also a bit of a hole.

Tsk, Tsk. Can't call a nation or region a hole anymore.

 

[BobPSU92]

Tsk, Tsk. Can't call a nation or region a hole anymore.

Do they have to change the name of Jackson Hole, WY?

 

[psuro]

New Jersey is expensive and crowded. Amazon won't set up shop there. Not a chance.

Have not read through any of the details, but tax breaks and incentives may go a long way to make the determination. If the state can do it for Camden, to get the Sixers, Subaru, United Water and Holtec, then I am sure the same can at least be tried for Newark.

 

[PSUoh90]

Raleigh - Seems to be the perfect combination of cost of living, universities, East Coast location, political swing state, tech influence, etc.

I can't speak for Raleigh's public trans, though. I imagine it isn't comparable to larger, more urban cities.

Anyone have an idea as to when it will be officially announced?

 

[Ian]

Raleigh #1
Austin #2
Nashville #3
NoVa #4

 

[Cletus11]

Have not read through any of the details, but tax breaks and incentives may go a long way to make the determination. If the state can do it for Camden, to get the Sixers, Subaru, United Water and Holtec, then I am sure the same can at least be tried for Newark.

The choice of location will be 99% based on one thing and one thing only....$$$$ MONEY. Who gives the best deal from a monetary standpoint with respect to state/city grants to build the initial headquarters and long term tax breaks after that. Social issues and anything else don't mean a thing.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Amazon has released a "short" list of cities it's considering for its second headquarters.

But the list isn't exactly short. The 20 potential cities include Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Montgomery County in Maryland, Nashville, Newark, New York City, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Toronto and Washington D.C.

Last year, Amazon (AMZN) received bids from 238 cities and regions from across 54 states, provinces, districts and territories across North America. The company said it would make a decision in 2018.

Called HQ2, the new facility will cost at least $5 billion to construct and operate, and will create as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs.

"Getting from 238 to 20 was very tough - all the proposals showed tremendous enthusiasm and creativity," Holly Sullivan of Amazon Public Policy said in a statement. "Through this process we learned about many new communities across North America that we will consider as locations for future infrastructure investment and job creation."

http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/18/technology/amazon-hq2-short-list/index.html

Please not Northern Virginia....!!!

 

[sluggo72]

The choice of location will be 99% based on one thing and one thing only....$$$$ MONEY. Who gives the best deal from a monetary standpoint with respect to state/city grants to build the initial headquarters and long term tax breaks after that. Social issues and anything else don't mean a thing.

IIRC neither Texas nor Tennessee have state income taxes, so that's a break right there. I believe both are 'right to work' states so there shouldnt be any union problems(providing you believe Unions are a problem). I am pretty sure both have a lot of flat land to build on.

 

[mrtailgate]

Please not Northern Virginia....!!!

If you live anywhere close, your real estate value will explode.

 

[Obliviax]

Austin makes sense, and I would imagine land is relatively cheap. Plus, a good supply of young labor.

my company is located in austin while the primary owner lives north of LA. We just moved locations in Austin. the primary owner told me that we are now paying the same per square foot as we would had he incorporated the company on Long Beach or Marina Del Ray.

If you go way north, you can get cheaper real estate but you are moving away from the airport and labor (which is closer to downtown). Thus, you are defeating the whole purpose of moving to Austin. If you move south, you are in the megalopolis between Austin and San Antonio. In addition, the city's response to managing growth is to limit infrastructure so they can "keep austin weird". bottomline is that Austin's traffic problems are commonly in the top ten worst lists for national traffic problems.

Things have changed.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

If you live anywhere close, your real estate value will explode.

Don't care. Business is already booming in NoVa. They just added 'flex' tolls on 66 into DC in the morning that have been as high as $40.00 one way. So, pass.

 

[CF LION]

Shocked that Harrisburg didn't make the cut....

 

[LemonEars]

Raleigh #1
Austin #2
Nashville #3
NoVa #4

I agree with your list, Ian. I think the Amazon final 20 list includes some politically correct pity picks, just to make people think they are being magnanimous. Newark, Philly, Pittsburgh, and Chicago are in that category. I doubt that Amazon is really considering these decrepit places when they could pick those on your list.

 

[CF LION]

New Jersey is expensive and crowded. Amazon won't set up shop there. Not a chance.

NJ has offered more tax incentives than almost everyone on the short list ($7B).

 

[LemonEars]

Pity picks so that Amazon can appear to be politically correct. Pittsburgh and Philly are run down crime ridden decrepit cities that will never be picked by Amazon.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

I would love to see Pittsburgh get it. I don't expect that they will, but the city is a nice place despite the assertions of those with a hardon about the U. of Pittsburgh.

 

[PSU_Chicago]

The choice of location will be 99% based on one thing and one thing only....$$$$ MONEY. Who gives the best deal from a monetary standpoint with respect to state/city grants to build the initial headquarters and long term tax breaks after that. Social issues and anything else don't mean a thing.

Agree. The list of 20 is solely to downsize the next round of negotiations. I can see "well they gave us this, can you" discussions in place. Best price wins.

 

[psuro]

Shocked that Harrisburg didn't make the cut....

Or Pine Grove Mills.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I would love to see Pittsburgh get it. I don't expect that they will, but the city is a nice place despite the assertions of those with a hardon about the U. of Pittsburgh.

I'd much rather a place like Pittsburgh, Philly, or Ohio get it; would be nice to keep local talent in state.

- Atlanta
- Austin, Texas
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Denver
- Indianapolis
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Montgomery County, Maryland
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Newark, New Jersey
- New York City
- Northern Virginia
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Raleigh, N.C.
- Toronto
- Washington D.C.

Interesting that DC and NoVa are listed separately.

 

[Woodpecker]

Interesting that DC and NoVa are listed separately.

And Montgomery County, MD

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

I'd much rather a place like Pittsburgh, Philly, or Ohio get it; would be nice to keep local talent in state.



Interesting that DC and NoVa are listed separately.

Exactly--it would mean an awful lot to the state of PA, regardless of which city would get the new HQ. Pittsburgh has some hurdles that Philly doesn't in terms on infrastructure; perhaps some land around the airport could be available. That said, CMU is attractive although it's a real long shot for the 'burgh to get it.

 

[Lion8286]

Interesting that DC and NoVa are listed separately.

And Montgomery County, MD

Definitely have a need for more traffic around 495.

 

[RGWhirly]

I would not mind see Raleigh get it but I do not believe it will. It seems NC whiffs almost every time it is in the running for something big in terms of business.

 

[wex18]

Raleigh - Seems to be the perfect combination of cost of living, universities, East Coast location, political swing state, tech influence, etc.

I can't speak for Raleigh's public trans, though. I imagine it isn't comparable to larger, more urban cities.

Only drawback to the Research Triangle is public ground transportation. Light rail is proposed, but is still in the planning stage.

 

[The Spin Meister]

#1 N Virginia
#2 Montgomery Co Maryland
#3 DC area
#4 Philly
$5 Pittsburgh

Bezos is playing a game, making areas out bid each other, even though they have no chance. He is going to build it close to DC because he wants to be President. He recently bought a house in DC for $23 million! He owns the Washington Post. He will build in the top three areas I listed.

Philly has a shot as it is very close to DC Pittsburgh could get it because its a great small town where he would be King, it has Carnegie Mellon, Amazon already has 500 people there and they love it. It also has Google, Facebook, Uber, Wamo, and an airport that is underutilized and would expand to fill their needs at his demand.

 

[Cletus11]

my company is located in austin while the primary owner lives north of LA. We just moved locations in Austin. the primary owner told me that we are now paying the same per square foot as we would had he incorporated the company on Long Beach or Marina Del Ray.

If you go way north, you can get cheaper real estate but you are moving away from the airport and labor (which is closer to downtown). Thus, you are defeating the whole purpose of moving to Austin. If you move south, you are in the megalopolis between Austin and San Antonio. In addition, the city's response to managing growth is to limit infrastructure so they can "keep austin weird". bottomline is that Austin's traffic problems are commonly in the top ten worst lists for national traffic problems.

Things have changed.

You think that Amazon is actually going to buy the land. Part of this deal anywhere they go will be said city finds and 'gives' the land to Amazon as part of the deal, maybe Amazon buys for a dollar or something. For those of you who don't know how this works. What we are talking about is literally $100's of millions of dollars (I could see for Amazon considering the size of who they are, a billion over the life of the it is not out of the question) in tax breaks and incentives and grants, etc...that are being negotiated.

 

[throw2oj]

Interesting that DC and NoVa are listed separately.

DC and NoVa also were considered separately for the Nats.

 

[Cletus11]

#1 N Virginia
#2 Montgomery Co Maryland
#3 DC area
#4 Philly
$5 Pittsburgh

Bezos is playing a game, making areas out bid each other, even though they have no chance. He is going to build it close to DC because he wants to be President. He recently bought a house in DC for $23 million! He owns the Washington Post. He will build in the top three areas I listed.

Philly has a shoot as it is very close to DC Pittsburgh could get it because its a great small town where he would be King, it has Carnegie Mellon, Amazon already has 500 people there and they love it. It also has Google, Facebook, Uber, Wamo, and an airport that is underutilized and would expand to fill their needs at his demand.

I can agree with that. Even if he doesn't want to be president, he is close to Washington to hobnob with the politicians and sway policy. The project manager of this for Amazon must have the life. Essentially go around to all these cities and getting a bunch of mayors and politicians to wine and dine you and beg for Amazon to come to their city.

 

[Obliviax]

I'd much rather a place like Pittsburgh, Philly, or Ohio get it; would be nice to keep local talent in state.



Interesting that DC and NoVa are listed separately.

I feel like Pittsburgh has a good shot. Their airport is located in the 'burbs. It is under utilized (since they lost the hub) and land is readily available nearby. There is a lot of good education and natural resource nearby. Blockers are PA's taxes (manageable) and weather (not manageable).

I suspect Amazon is looking for good transportation and low cost of ownership. They are also looking for a place that people will be happy to move to.

I still suspect the SE. NoVa is a good mix, would imaging DC to be too expensive and lacking available infrastructure. However, matches up with Bezo's growing political involvement and paper ownership.