Amazon looking for new headquarters...listen up because Chicago is a top contender. (Atlanta: credit, schools)

[Bluefox]

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/07/here...dquarters.html

This is a big deal. This could be a game changer.

"In its proposal, Amazon said it's looking for a city of more than 1 million people with an international airport, mass transit, quality higher education, an educated workforce and a solid business climate."

That describes Chicago to the tee except for that last little thing - solid business climate.

Now of course that could be alleviated somewhat with the city and state throwing some corporate welfare at Amazon.

SF is too oversaturated with tech and extremely expensive, New York is oversaturated with everything and also extremely expensive. Boston I think is a big competitor as are Philly and Atlanta, but I think Chicago outmatches all of them.

If Chicago could land Amazon just think of what it could do for the city and state. I really hope Chicago pushes with all its might to land Amazon. I've seen how electric its influence is in my city of Seattle. It could spur growth in ways Chicago couldn't dream of at the moment.

Interested in people's thoughts.

[flamadiddle]

Really don't see Atlanta in the mix. They don't have mass transit. They have MARTA, which is a joke and goes practically nowhere. Other than an International airport, Atlanta is a big fail. Agree with the rest of your comments. Sounds like Chicago has a really good chance.

Is there a timeframe for when HQ2 will be announced?

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

Really don't see Atlanta in the mix. They don't have mass transit. They have MARTA, which is a joke and goes practically nowhere. Other than an International airport, Atlanta is a big fail. Agree with the rest of your comments. Sounds like Chicago has a really good chance.

Is there a timeframe for when HQ2 will be announced?

Yeah I don't think Atlanta is particularly strong with regard to mass transit, educated populace or top ranked universities but the article is bullish on Atlanta so I'm giving it some deference.

Haven't found anything online wrt timelines yet.

[Bluefox]

Chicago will bid for Amazon's second headquarters — and its 50,000 jobs - Chicago Tribune

Chicago is officially in the running. One thing I like about Rahm is that he will vigorously fight for opportunities like this. I just hope Friends of the Parking Lots don't try to stick their tentacles into anything should something come to fruition.

[Bluefox]

Just some numbers:

$5 billion investment
Up to 8 million square feet in office space
50,000 jobs initially (with the potential to multiply like Seattle did)
Average salary of over $100k/yr

Considering Chicago's location from a logistical standpoint as well as in terms of being the sun in a solar system of well-ranked schools in the city and in the Midwest that exports many tech workers, this is a prime opportunity for Chicago.

[Scottiegal]

St. Louis is in the mix as well...any thoughts about St. Louis getting it?

[chicagobear]

Chicago seems like the prime contender to me.

[dtcbnd03]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Chicago will bid for Amazon's second headquarters — and its 50,000 jobs - Chicago Tribune

Chicago is officially in the running. One thing I like about Rahm is that he will vigorously fight for opportunities like this. I just hope Friends of the Parking Lots don't try to stick their tentacles into anything should something come to fruition.

I agree that Rahm is a great mayor for business. He's brought in a LOT of companies to downtown Chicago but only problem is we have been robbing from Peter to pay Paul cause a lot of those are from downstate Illinois. I hope we land Amazon but the sad thing is we will roll out tons of free land / tax credits which means the rest of us have to pick up the tab. Wish I could ask for free land / tax credits or threaten to leave the state. It's an unfair practice that states do to tout job growth.

As for friends of the park...this is another thread...but they have done a great job protecting the lakefront and they are friends of mine.

[BRU67]

Does anybody but me feel that Chet is going to come by and hit this one right of the park like a hanging curve tater thrown by James Shields? LOL!

[DavePa]

There was already mention of the old Post Office in the General US forum. On the thread on Amazon seeking locations and could Goose Island be a contender location with a bridge to access the Blue-line?