Amazon’s big announcement that it will build a second headquarters has caught the attention of local officials, economic development professionals, and pundits across the U.S. and Canada. And for good reason: “HQ2,” as it’s being called, would create upwards of 50,000 high-paying jobs and billions of dollars of new investment in whichever city it locates in. The city that lands this historic deal will see its economic and physical landscape transformed, albeit for a hefty price tag in the form of tax breaks.
What Amazon’s HQ2 Wish List Signals About the Future of Cities
The attributes metros must have to thrive in the digital economy.
September 08, 2017
Summary.
Amazon’s bombshell announcement that it will build a second headquarters in another North American city has caught the attention of state and local officials, economic development professionals, and pundits across the country. Amazon’s selection criteria, as described in the company’s request for proposal, sets out a compelling list of the attributes cities must have if they aspire to be a serious part of the America’s growing digital economy. Cities need to look closely at the criteria in Amazon’s RFP and ask whether they’ve done enough to build up the fundamental assets prized by innovative firms and industries.