Washington Monument, Photo: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway/Wikimedia Commons
Five billion dollars in investment, 50,000 new jobs. Still, that is not all that is driving American cities to house the second headquarters of commerce and tech giant Amazon.
Linked to the location would be the future economic promise of the selected city, its business landscape and the prosperity of the people. In the immediate context, it is the image of the selected city that will send signals to other businesses for potential growth.
The attraction of a business giant having its second headquarters in the city has motivated leaders to launch concerted branding campaigns with offers of incentives to have the coveted business’ second headquarters flourishing in their midst.
The cities across the United States are aware of the booming fortunes of Seattle, which not only hosts Amazon but is also the base of several other tech giants with a resounding future outlook.
Washington D.C. is not lagging behind the race to get the Amazon boost for its future business prospects.
Ahead of looming October 19 deadline for submission of proposals, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the four locations that will be included in the capital’s proposal for Amazon HQ2.
The locations include Anacostia Riverfront, Capitol Hill East, Shaw-Howard University, and NoMa-Union Station.
According to the mayor’s office, the four locations were selected because they can provide the global tech giant with the greatest opportunity to create a world-class headquarters that supports the company’s need for decades of growth.
“These locations present an unparalleled opportunity for Amazon to create interconnected, transit-oriented, and sustainable campuses with access to riverfront and green spaces,” said Mayor Bowser.
“Our city’s growing tech scene, talented and diverse workforce, rich culture, and inclusive environment already made Washington, DC an ideal location for Amazon HQ2, and now people can begin to think more specifically about how the tech company will fit into our community.”
Amazon HQ2 plans to employ up to 50,000 workers in up to eight million square feet of office space and complete its $5 billion-construction work over the next 10-15 years. Once a locatioin is selected, Amazon will occupy its first 500,000 to 1 million square feet of office in late 2019.
Amazon.com’s “Day 1” tower in Seattle, WA in January 2017. Photo: Adamajreynolds/Wikimedia Commons
In the D.C.’s bid, Mayor Browser also highlighted distinctions the city has chalked up in recent years like its being #1 City for Women in Tech, Forbes 2017, #1 Restaurant City, Bon Appetit 2016 #1 Coolest City, Forbes 2014 #1 Best City for Tech, SmartAsset 2016, #1 for Women’s Employment and Earnings, 2016 and 1st LEED Platinum City in the World.
But other North American cities have also offered a range of attractions in their proposals as the tech giant, established by Jeff Bezos in 1994, seeks to scale new heights and new horizons.
