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Even with Buffalo, it is an area that is built to hold more people, which it did a few decades ago. So, even with the big boost, the influx may not be that bad.
Even so between household size reductions and the people getting high paying jobs not wanting to live in the areas with the most vacant housing (e.g. east Buffalo) that might be mitigated to some extent.
Even so between household size reductions and the people getting high paying jobs not wanting to live in the areas with the most vacant housing (e.g. east Buffalo) that might be mitigated to some extent.
I'd love to see an Amazon headquarters in East Buffalo that includes the Buffalo Central Terminal and the area around it and an ask for an extension of the light rail to it and further out to the airport as well as higher speed intercity Amtrak service. That's a pipe dream, but I want it.
So this is complete rumor and hearsay based so take what I say with a massive grain of salt. So my girlfriend is friends with a gal who nannies for a hyper wealthy family that is well connected with other high wealth Seattle-area families. This nanny and the mother told my girlfriend that Amazon folks mentioned that they view their HQ2 placement as a huge “gift” to the region they select and also that they have no interest in “gifting” conservative regions which support discriminatory policies, either political or social. So basically, what this family divined from what they heard is that a likely HQ2 placement will probably be in a very liberal or at least moderate region, and that Amazon will basically “invest” in a region that they support for political reasons.
That is an interesting theory, but I think it is incorrect. Amazon will do what is best for the company principally due to revenue, profit potential, and return to stockholders. There may be some indirect political components, but I do not believe they are the overriding deal makers/breakers.
So this is complete rumor and hearsay based so take what I say with a massive grain of salt. So my girlfriend is friends with a gal who nannies for a hyper wealthy family that is well connected with other high wealth Seattle-area families. This nanny and the mother told my girlfriend that Amazon folks mentioned that they view their HQ2 placement as a huge “gift” to the region they select and also that they have no interest in “gifting” conservative regions which support discriminatory policies, either political or social. So basically, what this family divined from what they heard is that a likely HQ2 placement will probably be in a very liberal or at least moderate region, and that Amazon will basically “invest” in a region that they support for political reasons.
If Amazon was truly interested in the political landscape, it seems to me that they wouldn't be opposed to considering conservative regions with the hopes of trying to change the political landscape in those locations.
I can see Amazon only going towards more liberal areas both municipally and state/provincially. Amazon want to be viewed as a 21st century company and not one of the old guard corporations and wants it's workforce and reputation to reflect that.
This is why I have never really thought that the H2Q would go to Atlanta or Dallas. They certainly have a shot but their politics and reputation get in the way. I would be surprised if Amazon went to any of the southern states. Let's face it, anything south of Washington DC has a reputation, fairly or not, of being red-neck territory save Miami. Seriously, if you asked Americans {or anyone on the planet who knows a decent amount about the US} what part of the country is the most socially conservative, 99% would say "The South". That's not the kind of values that a company like Amazon wants to be associated with.
Personally I think Boston is the front runner with Washington & Toronto closely behind and then Philly and Chicago. I would say there are 3 potential "upset" cities........Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Montreal.
Personally I think Boston is the front runner with Washington & Toronto closely behind and then Philly and Chicago. I would say there are 3 potential "upset" cities........Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Montreal.
I don't think most people see a Canadian city anywhere in the running, and I think they're right. With the current wave of American populism, and a slew of American cities that could really use the tax base and jobs, I think Amazon would be shooting their bottom line in the foot, as it were, to build HQ2 outside of the U.S.
Perhaps that is true although Bezos hatred of Trump could mean he does it just to spite Trump.
Economically, a Canadian city makes more sense than any US city. Wages are lower, a 30% discount on all expenses due to the dollar subsidy, a lower corporate tax rate, a more immigration friendly environment, and free healthcare which is estimated to save Amazon nearly $600 million annually in healthcare costs. There is no US city that can offer any of those massive financial benefits.
As you correctly state however, politics will play a part which is why a Canadian city {we are really only talking about Montreal & Toronto here as no other place has a hope in hell} may not be in the cards just as The South's conservative reputation and political environment may knock out Atlanta and Dallas.
One thing I am proud of with the Canadian bids is that none have tried to bribe Amazon with taxpayer handouts and government bribes. They all refused to offer government largess to buy their way into winning. Of all companies Amazon is not in need of a government bailout and I'm glad Canadian cities didn't sink to that level....................if you want to come great but were not going to bribe you to do it.
This is why I have never really thought that the H2Q would go to Atlanta or Dallas. They certainly have a shot but their politics and reputation get in the way. I would be surprised if Amazon went to any of the southern states. Let's face it, anything south of Washington DC has a reputation, fairly or not, of being red-neck territory save Miami.
Well traveled people and the corporate world know better, hence the extended boom the region has been and is experiencing. And it's interesting that Miami always gets a pass, yet is the least likely to ever get any significant corporate relocations.
Basically, most of us could care less what ignorant people from elsewhere think of the South.
Well traveled people and the corporate world know better, hence the extended boom the region has been and is experiencing. And it's interesting that Miami always gets a pass, yet is the least likely to ever get any significant corporate relocations.
Basically, most of us could care less what ignorant people from elsewhere think of the South.
The southeast is BOOMING due to it's pro-business, pro-personal responsibility, limited government stance that much of the northeast has abandoned. Yet we get called names and ridiculed by the them. Ironically the poor here, the people who they claim we hate, live much more practical lives, low cost of living, high property ownership, high business ownership. It is not segregated at all it is very common to see white families and black families living side by side in trailers where as up north it's completely racially segregated. They are the ones with the backwards thinking.
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