The company has announced that it’s looking to a establish a second Amazon HQ in the US or Canada that it says will be a ‘full equal’ to its existing head office in Seattle.
In a seven page document, Amazon has laid out the benefits it offers if a city wins in its bid to host them. Amazon says that it brings with it significant economic advantages and estimates that in the past six years it has generated an additional $38bn to Seattle’s economy: “Every dollar invested by Amazon in Seattle generated an additional $1.40 for the city’s economy overall.”
For the second Amazon HQ they are looking for a city with “the presence and support of a diverse population”, “a strong university system” and “an overall high quality of life”. It’s expected that part of this pitch is the hope to receive an incentive package from local or national government for the benefits of getting the $5bn facility and what Amazon says are 50000 highly paid jobs.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says: “Amazon HQ2 will bring billions of dollars in upfront and ongoing investments, and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. We’re excited to find a second home.”
Cities that have already said that they will be throwing there hat into the ring to be considered as Amazon’s second home include Dallas, Houston, Toronto, St. Louis, Kentucky and Miami. You can read the full statement here or visit the dedicated landing page where cities are invited to submit their bids to Amazon.
Needless to say this move is a bold show of ongoing confidence from Amazon and Bezos. It seems that such is the future growth that Seattle just can’t contain such a big firm, so a second HQ is required. If you do check out the particulars of what they want, one thing that’s fascinating is what they’ve already got in Seattle. It’s a huge facility and it’s astonishing that the now need another.
