Amazon's 14-month search for a second headquarters outside of Seattle is close to coming to an end, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. However, rather than the original plan, in which one city benefited from the company's new base, reports suggest that Amazon will be creating two new HQs in different states.
The application process, which promised to bring "as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs" to whatever state won the company's approval, has reportedly whittled its long list down to just 20 cities, with smaller locations ruled out in the recent runoff.
The Journal states that the main rationale behind the new approach is to ensure that recruiting enough tech talent is not an issue. As well as this, it could avoid receiving too much blame for strain on local housing and transport if its expansion is split between two regions rather than concentrated in one.
The alleged front-runners in the race sound pretty familiar, given Amazon's need to attract top tech talent. Dallas, the Long Island City neighbourhood of New York and the Crystal City area of northern Virginia are all apparently in contention, according to the Journal's sources. The latter two, the New York Times notes, already have the most Amazon employees outside of Seattle and the Bay Area.
Amazon executives had previously met with Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the Times reports that those familiar with the meeting said that the state had offered hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies in order to tempt the e-commerce giant. "We have a great incentive package," Cuomo later told reporters when asked about the meeting. "I'll change my name to Amazon Cuomo if that's what it takes, because it would be a great economic boost."
Whether or not it comes to that, Amazon will reportedly be announcing the location (or locations) of its second headquarters in the near future possibly as soon as this week.
-
Third time lucky? Microsoft finally begins roll-out of controversial Recall featureNews The Windows Recall feature has been plagued by setbacks and backlash from security professionals
-
The UK government wants quantum technology out of the lab and in the hands of enterprisesNews The UK government has unveiled plans to invest £121 million in quantum computing projects in an effort to drive real-world applications and adoption rates.
-
How to empower employees to accelerate emissions reductionin depth With ICT accounting for as much as 3% of global carbon emissions, the same as aviation, the industry needs to increase emissions reduction
-
Worldwide IT spending to grow 4.3% in 2023, with no significant AI impactNews Spending patterns have changed as companies take an inward focus
-
Report: Female tech workers disproportionately affected by industry layoffsNews Layoffs continue to strike companies throughout the tech industry, with data showing females in both the UK and US are bearing the brunt of them more so than males
-
How can small businesses cope with inflation?Tutorial With high inflation increasing the cost of doing business, how can small businesses weather the storm?
-
How to deal with inflation while undergoing digital transformationIn-depth How can organizations stave off inflation while attempting to grow by digitally transforming their businesses?
-
How businesses can use technology to fight inflation
TUTORIAL While technology can’t provide all the answers to fight rising inflation, it can help ease the pain on businesses in the long term
-
Embattled WANdisco to cut 30% of workforce amid fraud scandalNews The layoffs follow the shock resignation of the company’s CEO and CFO in early April
-
Some Tech Nation programs could continue after Founders Forum acquisitionNews The acquisition brings to a close a months-long saga over what the future holds for Tech Nation initiatives
