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Amazon hunts for HQ2

Ordering online is the latest rage, and Amazon is at the front line of it all. Amazon is the leader in online shopping portals, accounting for almost 43% of all U.S. online retail sales. So many may wonder, where does the corporate giant operate from? Amazon is currently in the process of looking for their second headquarters.

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Amazon’s primary headquarters is based in Seattle, Washington and is the company’s first, and only, official headquarters. “HQ2”, as it is named, is in the planning stages as the multi - billion dollar company looks for the perfect place to set up shop. The current budget for the proposed HQ2 is about $5 million, and was just announced last month. The company has intentions of accommodating 50,000 workers in this new workspace, making it a hot item that cities are yearning after. The only question is, where is the new workspace going to be?

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Amazon is still deciding on a location, since it has had so many applicants after the announcement last month. Cities farther like Tucson, AZ to cities as close to us as Pittsburgh, PA have thrown their hat into the ring to test their luck out. Several cities like Birmingham, AL have found new innovative ways to draw Amazon’s attention, by putting huge Amazon delivery boxes on the streets as a gesture. Another city has followed the motto “all in.”

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The city of Stonecrest, GA, which is a new city recognized in January of this year has agreed to “de - annex” 345 acres of land if Amazon gives them the contract. This land will be called the city of Amazon, dedicated to not only temporary, but a permanent headquarters and eventually, a city. "We had to have a differentiator," said Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary. "What's a better opportunity than to give a company the size of Amazon their own city?" New Jersey, on the other hand, is ready to offer Amazon $5 billion in tax breaks. “The current law in the state caps incentives at $5,000 per job created. But a proposed legislative change for "transformative projects" -- such as Amazon's new headquarters -- would increase that to $10,000 over 20 years.

According to a spokesman for Governor Chris Christie.” University of Pennsylvania, a private ivy league university based in Philadelphia, is currently hosting a contest for the best HQ2 proposal from students.”

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It’s not only cities in the United States that are signing up. Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver are also in the race, promising them a better visa and immigration environment for potential jobs than the US.

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"If [Amazon] wants to hire tens of thousands of tech employees, they have to think be thinking about the visa environment. [Canada] will give them a terrific hedge," a source said.

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We don’t know which city or country will win for sure. But we know this, whoever wins in this race will get a guaranteed boost in employment and increased development in the sector. However, other cities must not lose faith, as according to a source, this many not be the last time Amazon may be looking for a headquarter. So until we find out who won the lottery, stay tuned.

Photo by brookingsinstitution.com

10/10/2017

By Maharsh Benday, Staff Writer

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