Amazon: Alexa, where should we build?

The online retailer plans to build a second headquarters in the United States. More than 100 cities are hoping for billions of investments and new jobs. Does the bill pay off?

Amazon: Alexa, where should we build?
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    A lack of commitment can hardly be blamed in Kansas in state of Missouri. Mayor Sly James bought more than 1,000 articles on Amazon on behalf of his city – and n left a rating for each individual.

    The 530,000 population City of Tucson, Arizona, also strives to attract attention of online merchant. The official uprooted an almost half-metre-long cactus – unofficial symbol of state – to be delivered by post to group headquarters in Seattle. The sourn city of Birmingham, in turn, allowed dozens of oversized Amazon packages to be built to spread across entire city and to show ir own enthusiasm.

    Since Amazon announced about a month ago to be in search of a site for second headquarters, more than 100 cities are vying for favor of internet company. Mayors give television interviews and can talk to PR videos in which y ask Amazon's language assistant Alexa to answer crucial question: Where should group build its headquarters?

    50,000 jobs, five billion investments

    Finally, re is some at stake: in addition to investments of around five billion dollars, company promises to create about 50,000 jobs. This Thursday ends period until which cities can advertise for mselves. It is arguably biggest trophy for economic development of past 10 to 25 years, said Greg Leroy of organization Good Jobs First, which investigates impact of development projects.

    The seat is necessary because group is pushing its limits in its previous headquarters in Seattle in view of its massive growth. Today, with 40,000 employees, Amazon is largest employer in 700,000 inhabitants city. In total, company occupies 19 percent of office space – more than any or employer anywhere in US. The competition for talent from tech business has intensified in Seattle and makes it difficult for group to occupy approximately 6,000 vacancies.

    Only Denver meets Amazon's requirements

    At same time, relationship with electoral homeland is tense. The dominance of group has called critics to plan that give Amazon blame for many problems: real estate prices have risen massively in recent years, infrastructure of city of grunts under growth. The Seattle City Council recently blessed tax increases for income of over 250,000 dollars to finance much-needed investment – a measure that also targets earner at Amazon.

    In eight-page paper for HQ2 – The provisional name of second seat – group has now listed conditions that winner must meet. In addition to a "business-friendly" metropolitan area with at least one million inhabitants, Amazon expects well-functioning transport and proximity to an international airport. Also on wish list: Fiber optic networks, a good mobile coverage, universities, a diverse population and areas. The New York Times came to conclusion in September, only Denver in state of Colorado fulfill stringent requirements of Amazon. The group wants to make a decision only next year.

    Date Of Update: 18 October 2017, 12:02
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