https://nypost.com/2019/02/14/amazon-pulls-out-of-3-billion-deal-to-bring-hq2-to-queens/
Amazon said Thursday it was bailing on locating its new campus in Queens, dealing a devastating blow to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio and costing the region up to 25,000 high-paying jobs.
“After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens,” the online retail giant said in a statement that cited local opposition to the massive, heavily subsidized project.
“For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term,” the company said.
“While polls show that 70 percent of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.”
The city and state came up with $3 billion in subsidies for one of the world’s richest companies, infuriating local opponents, including state Sen. Michael Gianaris, the deputy majority leader.
Cuomo last week ripped Gianaris for his opposition, accusing him of committing “political malpractice.”
The company thanked both Cuomo and de Blasio, saying they “worked tirelessly” to promote the project.
And the company said it would abandon the search for a site for its new campus, dubbed HQ2.
“We do not intend to re-open the HQ2 search at this time. We will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and we will continue to hire and grow across our 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the US and Canada,” the statement said.
A person involved in the Long Island City Amazon development, who was not authorized to speak on the record, lamented the decision.
“It’s a sad day when a minority of loud voices can rule. This was something to help diversify the city from its reliance on finance jobs,” the source told The Post.
“There were already talks underway for Amazon to provide local workforce training; that was part of the deal.”
Amazon said Thursday it was bailing on locating its new campus in Queens, dealing a devastating blow to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio and costing the region up to 25,000 high-paying jobs.
“After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens,” the online retail giant said in a statement that cited local opposition to the massive, heavily subsidized project.
“For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term,” the company said.
“While polls show that 70 percent of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.”
The city and state came up with $3 billion in subsidies for one of the world’s richest companies, infuriating local opponents, including state Sen. Michael Gianaris, the deputy majority leader.
Cuomo last week ripped Gianaris for his opposition, accusing him of committing “political malpractice.”
The company thanked both Cuomo and de Blasio, saying they “worked tirelessly” to promote the project.
And the company said it would abandon the search for a site for its new campus, dubbed HQ2.
“We do not intend to re-open the HQ2 search at this time. We will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and we will continue to hire and grow across our 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the US and Canada,” the statement said.
A person involved in the Long Island City Amazon development, who was not authorized to speak on the record, lamented the decision.
“It’s a sad day when a minority of loud voices can rule. This was something to help diversify the city from its reliance on finance jobs,” the source told The Post.
“There were already talks underway for Amazon to provide local workforce training; that was part of the deal.”
