Time moves slowly when you’re waiting for a big announcement, and it feels like Amazon’s is taking forever.
It’s been nearly a year since the ecommerce behemoth said it would select a city for its second North American headquarters. You probably know the high points by now. It’s a projected $5 billion investment in a campus and up to 50,000 high-paying jobs over the next decade or two. It’s a game-changer for any city in terms of jobs, housing affordability and the city’s character -- and Boston's a strong contender.
In the early days, long shot cities made elaborate pitches to win the hearts and minds of Amazon executives. Kansas City’s mayor wrote 1,000 5-star Amazon reviews. Tucson, Ariz. sent a truck with a giant saguaro cactus. Stonecrest, Ga., said it would rename itself Amazon.
But Amazon proved to be more pragmatic, using a so-far unknown metric that the company says includes measures of tech talent, housing affordability and, of course, incentives offered by cities, counties, states and business organizations.
Meanwhile, those who have spoken with Amazon officials during their visits to finalist cities have been sworn to secrecy with nondisclosure agreements. That’s one reason all we’re hearing is crickets.
The New York Times reported that there may be another shortlist of finalists announced. Meanwhile, cities and states appear to be hustling. Newark, New Jersey, for examples, recently approved $2 billion in incentives to lure HQ2.
At this point, it feels like Amazon's playing tug with cities, just to keep us guessing and meanwhile announced significant expansion plans in Boston. The company confirmed that it plans to hire 2,000 employees at a new facility in Seaport Square that will focus largely on developing its Alexa voice-activated technology, and plans to open offices in 2021.
This does not mean Boston is not vying for its second headquarters, take a look at this website the city created to lure the e-commerce giant to Beantown. And you didn't hear it from us, but there is a study that states that Boston and Washington have higher odds at landing this mammoth deal.
