I bitched about this on another thread and board, but that ranking's transportation criteria makes no sense for it to rank Austin above Atlanta. Atlanta is more sprawly and bigger, sure, but we at least have some heavy rail and the traffic is honestly about the same. I can't imagine traffic has actually improved in Austin since I lived there.
Quite the curve ball. Would most likely be the best in regards to cost and space available (of the top ten), could pull talent from RIT, Toronto, Buffalo and Syracuse. On the other hand, have fun with the snow, Bezos.
Proposals starting to come out. Here is Columbus http://www.dispatch.com/news/20171019/documents-detail-columbus-bid-to-lure-amazons-2nd-hq Amazon would receive a 15-year, 100 percent property-tax abatement at all sites associated with its new headquarters. That would save Amazon $456,750 per $1 million of investment in property over the life of the abatement. The online retail giant also would receive a 15-year, 35 percent income-tax refund on withholdings from new full-time employees working at Amazon’s headquarters. That would be up to $50 million annually and up to $400 million over 15 years. The city plans to use at least 60 percent of new income-tax withholding revenue generated by the company to support the development, including income-tax refunds and the establishment of a new transit fund. Columbus offered to reimburse Amazon for land acquisition, demolition and site preparation up to $5 million annually and up to a total of $75 million using a 25 percent portion of the city’s income-tax revenue generated by Amazon employees. However, that incentive would not begin until the 16th year of operation (projected to be 2034) and continue up to 15 years, or until the agreed-upon total is expended. Amazon could be the first company to receive a new incentive that the Columbus City Council approved this year for mega projects that promise at least 1,000 new full-time jobs. The economic-development net profit tax incentive can be awarded to companies that generate $1 million in net profits tax to the city annually by the end of the third year of operations after its headquarters is established. To receive the incentive, the company would be required to: ‒ Agree to create at least 1,000 new full-time jobs paying at least $15 an hour for 35 hours weekly by the end of the third year. ‒ Create at least $45 million in new payroll by the end of the third year. ‒ Invest at least $50 million in combined property investments within the city by the end of the third year. ‒ Prove it has annual revenue of $7 billion for the year immediately prior to applying for the incentive.
Is this sarcasm? I've worked with a lot of people from the North East, Midwest, California who chose to move to Atlanta for a variety of reasons.
Our mayor is still talking nonstop about this. Buddy, we have direct flights to fifteen cities and our high schools are staffed with drifters they found at the bus station. Amazon's not happening.
Might be one of the dumbest statements ever made on this board. 75% of Atlanta residents aren't from here with a ton from the NE\N
This has to end up being the biggest corporate welfare ever...right? It's gonna make NFL stadiums look like small potatoes. I know most studies show stadium returns never pan out...but what about corporate deals?? City will get 50k 100k jobs...will actually impact the economy/housing/property taxes, etc....
Most economists agree that because of its scale, HQ2 is one of the rare instances where massive tax incentives and “corporate welfare” makes sense. The sheer number of employees plus the likelihood of allied/related businesses and startups changes the benefit curve over time unlike stadiums.
The president of the neighboring college in my town that has an enrollment of under 5K is trying to influence Amazon to come to Richmond, VA, yet he doesn't have enough influence to get a new grocery store to come to town.
You'll have to relocate to Cobb County when you do because every property in Fulton will list a preference for tech workers
Luckily I'll easily afford the increase. But are you implying tech workers in Seattle get property tax breaks or Amazon workers will get tax breaks as part of the deal??
This is why I'm extremely conflicted on Atlanta being picked. I don't want to live way outside the perimeter and that means we need to save more before we can buy a house. When is this announcement coming by the way and when exactly is Amazon looking for the new HQ to be opened by?
That sellers in Seattle specifically listed preferences for Amazon workers and wouldn't take viable bids from others until a recent city ordinance to fix it went into effect (although I think this was a bigger problem for renters than buyers)
I don't know - my guess is that even amongst people who met income minimums, they considered Amazon/Google/Microsoft employees to be safer bets than others
this feels like you are talking out of your ass. most economists agree? that rarely happens, for one. and more importantly, we don't even know what Amazon is getting in these negotiations. how could anyone make arguments (let alone there be a consensus) as to whether there's a good deal in place?
You don’t have to take my word for it. Google it. There are certainly dissenting opinions (hence “most” and not “all”), but the majority of economists who have published opinions about HQ2 seem to agree that it has a likelihood to generate net-positive economic benenfits to whomever lands it despite the likely incentives. But by all means please go on about what it “feels” like.
He's a chiropractor, only been to his house once. When I visit he comes over to the mother in law's house in Torrance.
One of the largest companies establishing a headquarters in a city with 50K employees is a good thing for that city and state? You don't say?! Again, there's been literally zero confirmed information about what Amazon is getting/a city is giving in these negotiations/bids.
Would Amazon care about shipping in this decision? That is something Baltimore has going for it. Part of the harbor has been dredged for FedEx which is in the same area UA moved to. There is a huge site where Bethlehem Steel used to be. At one time they were the #2 steel company in the US and the ship building section was turning out one large ship a week during WW2. They used to be the largest employer in MD and now it's Johns Hopkins Hospital/University. Baltimore City is a dump with the population dropping to 600K. The metro area is 2.4 million so there is a good work force. Public transportation is not great which is a problem. I have left the area and live in South Florida now. I guess Miami/Ft. Lauderdale have some positive attributes but it seems they have been eliminated.
No. They have warehouses all over the country and this HQ has zero warehouse space needed, all office.
If your argument is that the deal cannot be properly analyzed at this stage then make that argument. You’re probably right. But what you argued - that most economists who are on record believe HQ2 will be a bad deal for the community that wins - is objectively false. Like I said...google it. In any event, let’s talk facts not feelings.
I highly agree with this. Stadium deals are shit and always will be shit. But this? I work in the tech industry in Austin. If we get this, the price of keeping my mediocre ass just went up.
According the the Philadelphia Daily News Philly is prepared to pay for an anal raping with a burning balsa wood cock.