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Philly has a lot of good schools in and around it, but none of them have much of a tech focus. I wouldn't consider this a huge selling point for the metro.
I'm rooting for Miami. In some ways, I think it's the US city with the most potential. It's beautiful and full of energy but it has no major industries besides tourism. The tech sector there is at least shockingly undeveloped. This will pose challenges for Amazon (hiring talent) but at the same time allow Amazon to completely redefine the city. It's the kind of a steroid shot in the arm that may take Miami from cool beach and party town (not to mention second home/retiree spot) to a truly important global city with a diverse economy.
Miami also is a true shipping hub between the USA/Europe/Canada and Latin America. None of the other cities on the list can really say this.
As for the other cities, well they either don't need the headquarters (being saturated themselves) or they're too small, or rather not as "exciting" as Miami.
I actually concur with you regarding Miami. In many ways, it's like a foil to Seattle, while still checking many of the same marks (recreation, attractiveness to youth + potential talent, etc).
I actually concur with you regarding Miami. In many ways, it's like a foil to Seattle, while still checking many of the same marks (recreation, attractiveness to youth + potential talent, etc).
It could be "Silicon Beach #2" the Silicon Beach for the East Coast...
I actually concur with you regarding Miami. In many ways, it's like a foil to Seattle, while still checking many of the same marks (recreation, attractiveness to youth + potential talent, etc).
I think the biggest handicap for Miami is potential talent. Currently that talent doesn't exist, and it will have to relocate to Miami. While I think a city such as Miami should have no difficulties attracting potential talent, it's definitely a big positive if the area already has the talent + universities turning out the talent.
The fact that Miami is the place Bezos went to highschool is some sort of wildcard. It could help or hurt Miami's chances. Bezos is also Cuban through his father's side. Again, how this plays to Miami's chances is anyone's guess.
But if I were a betting man, I would put Miami's chances above the other Southern cities except for DC and surrounding areas.
You can look up software engineers by alma mater on LinkedIn. Not 100% accurate but probably better than anything else we've got. These are alumni numbers for the Top 10 engineering programs according to USNWR. Don't flip out because a certain school is not included. I will try to add to the list later.
I thought there would be more software engineers from other colleges but I guess I was wrong. I goes from 19,000 for Georgia tech and then 911 for Purdue.
I think the biggest handicap for Miami is potential talent. Currently that talent doesn't exist, and it will have to relocate to Miami. While I think a city such as Miami should have no difficulties attracting potential talent, it's definitely a big positive if the area already has the talent + universities turning out the talent.
The fact that Miami is the place Bezos went to highschool is some sort of wildcard. It could help or hurt Miami's chances. Bezos is also Cuban through his father's side. Again, how this plays to Miami's chances is anyone's guess.
But if I were a betting man, I would put Miami's chances above the other Southern cities except for DC and surrounding areas.
Small tech scene, huge brain drain, lack of transit, QOL to COL ratio is out of whack, higher education isn't the best compared to other cities. I'd say Miami's chances are in the middle pack, I'd put (in no order) Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Chi, Philly, NYC and L.A over Miami. I'm still thinking it goes to Boston, Atlanta or Toronto, and hoping Toronto gets it.
Cities that I think the Amazon HQ2 will be:
Atlanta- One of the strongest financial centers in the Southeast, with reasonable cost
Austin- Reasonable cost & I hear that it's developing in the technology field.
Chicago- If they decided to go to the Midwest than this would be likely as this is the 3rd largest city in the US & has reasonable cost
Dallas- One of the strongest financial centers in the Southeast. Largest metro in the Southeast, reasonable cost.
Houston- One of the strongest financial centers in the Southeast with a major shipping port(Port Houston), reasonable cost
Newark- Closest city to NYC, in-between NYC and Philadelphia, with a shipping port (Port Newark/Elizabeth) & it's cost isn't too far from Philadelphia's.
Philadelphia- In the middle of the BosWash area, not to far from NYC, & reasonable cost for the BosWash area.
Washington DC- Inbetween the Northeast & Southeast, capital city, end of BosWash
Northern Virginia- Inbetween the Northeast & Southeast, reasonable cost, close to DC, end of BosWash
Toronto- If they want to get into the Canadian market, then Toronto would be the best choice. Plus it's one the opposite side to Seattle
I think that they would build their HQ is in the BosWash area(high density area, with major US cities including the biggest of them all, NYC) and the Southeast(opposite of Seattle's location, major growth, low cost) as both areas are on the opposite side of Seattle and have large metro areas. Therefore I vote Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington DC, or Northern Virginia.
Way back in the day (on the original thread) I predicted Austin, TX or somewhere in DC/NOVA/MD. Both are still alive, and as another poster noted, three possible locations around DC is somewhat telling. Austin and Dallas both still in the hunt. Bezos has some connectivity to both regions.
Like others, I am surprised by some in the Top20. I think Miami is a great city, and it is centered between the east coast and Latin America. But I don't see it. Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana might have some great proposals, but I wouldn't bet the ranch on those locations. Chicago is a huge, powerful city, but the tax & pension issues probably make the city unlikely.
Also as others have chimed in, I think the decision has probably already been made, or is narrowed down to just a few. As long as AMZN keeps this going the more attention it gets. Brilliant.
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