Three DMV hubs make top 20 cut for new Amazon Inc. headquarters
Many local leaders across the country are offering tax breaks and other incentives to try to convince Amazon executives to land there lucrative headquarters in their city. (Image obtained via Creative Commons)
January 30, 2018
Amazon is shopping around the country to find the best location to build its second headquarters. The first headquarters is in Seattle, where the internet giant has quarterbacked its operations in a complex of three modern buildings. In September of 2017, they announced their plans to locate new headquarters in some metropolitan area, a process named “HQ2.” Since that announcement last fall, they have received 238 applications from cities and regions across the US.
On Jan. 18, a shortlist of 20 of those applicants was released, including Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Montgomery County. With those three areas being so close to McLean, there is a high possibility of significant economic growth in the near future. Amazon also believes the new headquarters will provide 50,000 new jobs and will require five billion in capital expenditures.
The requirements to apply were as follows:
- Metropolitan areas with a population of over 1 million
- A stable and business-friendly environment
- Within 30 miles (48 km) of a population center
- Within 45 minutes of an international airport
- Proximity to major highways and arterial roads 1–3 miles (2–5 km)
- Access to mass transit routes
- Up to 8 million square feet (740,000 m2) of office space for future expansion
Amazon has also laid out a few optional preferences, such as a business friendly economy and proximity to major universities. Many analysts have tried to decipher how Amazon dwindled down the 238 applicants to a meager 20, but there are an abundance of aspects that the company says they will consider for each location. The main factors include the site resources, incentives provided by the applicants, such as tax breaks, and the cultural community fit.
“It would provide a large amount of jobs for our community, chances for internship, and a great area to learn about one of the biggest businesses in the world.” junior marketing student Carter Robertson said.
Finalists Washington DC, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia have all made the initial cut, but their can only be one location. As it stands though, McLean has a 15 percent chance of being within 20 miles of a major corporate venture that has the potential to increase the population, boost the local economy, and reshape the community atmosphere.