Washingtonian
It’s been a little more than three weeks since Amazon announced it plans to build a second global headquarters somewhere in North America. And in that time, mayors and business development officials in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas across the continent have stumbled over themselves to explain why their municipalities are the best spot for the world’s third-largest retailer and biggest web host.
The benefits, according to Amazon, should tantalize any civic official. Based off figures from its main campus in Seattle, an Amazon headquarters could create as many as 50,000 direct jobs, boost indirect employment by 53,000, and create $38 billion in economic activity. All it takes is the right jurisdiction offering the biggest tax incentive in living memory. Responses to Amazon’s request for proposals are due back October 19.
