Amazon have cancelled the Amazon HQ2 New York office. After spending months searching for a second home and running a competition where cities lined up to promise tax breaks and incentives, Arlington and New York were selected for a split Amazon HQ2 with 25,000 jobs planned at each location.
Now, following a backlash from some politicians and Unions, Amazon appear to have simply decided that New York is simply too much trouble and cancelled their plans to move there.
“After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term. While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.”
– Amazon
Amazon say that they are disappointed at the reaction that has caused them to pull out, pointing out that there are already 5,000 New York based Amazon employees in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and saying that they still plan to continue growing these teams.
Will there be a 2nd Amazon HQ2 search?
Amazon have no immediate plans to start another search to relocate the planned Amazon HQ2 New York, Instead they will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and will continue to hire and grow across their 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the US and Canada.
Amazon expressed their thanks to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and the many other community leaders and residents who welcomed their plans and supported the plans for Amazon HQ2 New York.
