Amazon has announced a shortlist of the twenty metropolitan areas that are still in the running to be the location of its second North American headquarters.
Canada is still in the running but Toronto is now the sole survivor outside the US, remaining in the process as the dream ends for 218 areas across North America including Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
“Thank you to all 238 communities that submitted proposals. Getting from 238 to 20 was very tough – all the proposals showed tremendous enthusiasm and creativity,” said Holly Sullivan, Amazon Public Policy. “Through this process we learned about many new communities across North America that we will consider as locations for future infrastructure investment and job creation.”
The selection process will now move a stage of deeper consideration with the final decision expected this year.
Toronto mayor John Tory believes that his city has the edge.
“There is no other city region in North America that can boast the same talent, the same quality of life, the same vibrancy and economic strength,” he said.
The 20 metros on the shortlist are:
– Atlanta, GA
– Austin, TX
– Boston, MA
– Chicago, IL
– Columbus, OH
– Dallas, TX
– Denver, CO
– Indianapolis, IN
– Los Angeles, CA
– Miami, FL
– Montgomery County, MD
– Nashville, TN
– Newark, NJ
– New York City, NY
– Northern Virginia, VA
– Philadelphia, PA
– Pittsburgh, PA
– Raleigh, NC
– Toronto, ON
– Washington D.C.
Amazon’s HQ2 will be a U$5 billion investment with up to 50,000 employees.
Steve Randall has more than three decades of media experience encompassing online, newspapers, magazines, radio, and podcasts. He focuses on insights and news for professionals in finance, real estate, and legal services. Steve writes for multiple Key Media titles in Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
