The prospect of Amazon placing its second headquarters in the District of Columbia has city residents enthusiastic about its potential economic and psychological impacts.
On Jan. 18, Amazon officials released 20 cities that are on its list for the facility. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said she is proud the District made the cut out of over 200 cities nationally and internationally.
One of the areas Washington, D.C. put forward as possible location for Amazon’s HQ2 was Capitol Hill East. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
“As Washington, D.C. continues to grow and we continue to focus on creating pathways to the middle class for more Washingtonians, it would be a win for residents and the region to bring 50,000 high-paying jobs to the city,” Bowser said in a statement. “Making this list reaffirms what we already knew going into the bidding process – Washington, D.C. is no longer a one-company town, we are a leader in innovation and tech, brimming with top talent and endless opportunity.”
In addition to the jobs, Amazon will invest $5 billion in development in the winning city.
The company’s criteria for consideration include: more than one million residents, proximity to an international airport, manageable commutes, diverse demographics, connectivity and the quality of local schools for churning out potential employees.
Amazon is headquartered in Seattle. It was founded on July 5, 1994 as an electronic commerce and computer clouding company by Jeff Bezos, who is among the world’s wealthiest individuals with an estimated value of $110 billion according to Forbes magazine.
In the District, Bezos owns {The Washington Post} and its publications and one of the city’s most expensive mansions.
Competing with the District are Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, N.C. and Toronto. Montgomery County, Md. and Northern Virginia are local competitors for the second headquarters.
Prince George’s County and Baltimore both put forth bids that weren’t selected. Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III (D) endorsed Montgomery County’s bid adding that Amazon’s decision to have the three Washington-area sites “clearly recognizes the strength of the region.”
The District’s bid has named four sites for the possible headquarters: Anacostia Riverfront, Capitol Hill East, NoMa-Union Station and Shaw-Howard University. It has been reported that the city will offer Amazon a corporate tax rate freeze and other tax credits and exemptions.
Vincent Orange, a former D.C. Council member, is the president and CEO of the District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Orange said in a statement to the AFRO that Amazon should pick the District. “Growth, jobs, opportunity, and prosperity awaits Amazon HQ2 in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.,” he said. “Our global city with vibrant, livable, walkable, and creative neighborhoods, excellent higher educational institutions, an extremely thriving tech sector, a growing and expanding business community, and a talented workforce awaits Amazon with open arms including an outstanding incentive package.”
Marie Johns, former deputy administrator for the Small Business Administration during Obama’s presidency, told the AFRO that Amazon could be a good corporate partner in the city. “This is a beautiful city,” she said. “We have a talented workforce, a thriving business community, and the capacity to grow.”
Johns said African Americans should be excited about Amazon’s possible presence. “There will be economic benefits in terms of jobs and contracting opportunities for small businesses,” she said. Johns said the company will also bring tax dollars to the city.
Amazon is expected to announce its choice sometime this year.