Chicago is now officially in the running to land Amazon's second North American Headquarters.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner said today in a joint statement that the Chicago area has officially submitted its bid for Amazon's HQ2. The bid was submitted electronically on Monday, the first day of the four-day window where Amazon is accepting bids.
The announcement lacked specific details on Chicago's bid, but called the overall economic impact of Amazon's HQ2 "unprecedented." Amazon has said it plans to invest more than $5 billion in the construction of the space, which looks to eventually employ 50,000 people and take up 8 million square feet.
“Chicago offers unparalleled potential for future growth for businesses of all sizes and is the ideal place for Amazon to build its HQ2,” Emanuel said in the statement. “This bid will demonstrate to Amazon that Chicago has the talent, transportation and technology to help the company as it reaches new heights and continues to thrive for generations to come.”
World Business Chicago, the city's economic development arm, conducted a study on the economic impact of HQ2 and found that, over 17 years, Amazon's new space would generate $341 billion in total spending, including $71 billion in salaries and wages. The report also found that for each dollar Amazon invests in operations and construction, it could generate an additional $2.72 for the overall Chicagoland economy.
“Amazon represents an extraordinary opportunity for Illinois to grow jobs, attract new residents, and build our tax base,” Rauner added in the statement. “Our bid makes a powerful business case, linking our advantages in innovation, commerce, and R&D with Amazon’s aspirations for growth and talent recruitment.”
Amazon is expected to make its decision by 2018.
