Amazon planning second headquarters with 50,000 jobs

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

True, which I think Calgary also has a good chance of providing. Reasonable housing prices and amenities are good to have as incentive to get workers to move here as well. I just don't see Toronto or Vancouver being all that attractive given all their negatives.

Calgary has reasonable housing prices? Not compared to some of the cities on the list. And what amenities does Calgary boast that makes it so attractive compared to other cities?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by New Era

Calgary has reasonable housing prices? Not compared to some of the cities on the list. And what amenities does Calgary boast that makes it so attractive compared to other cities?

You will notice I was comparing it to other Canadian cities...

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by New Era

Calgary has reasonable housing prices? Not compared to some of the cities on the list. And what amenities does Calgary boast that makes it so attractive compared to other cities?

Every citizen is willing to fight a bear to protect an Amazon employee. Can you say that about Austinites?








Didn't think so

[Northendzone]

^ I have heard that Austin has both a bear patrol and a rock that is used to ward off bears. but once again, employees are only exposed to bears between 8 and 10 hrs per day as the rest of the time they are protected by their office walls.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

^ I have heard that Austin has both a bear patrol and a rock that is used to ward off bears. but once again, employees are only exposed to bears between 8 and 10 hrs per day as the rest of the time they are protected by their office walls.

I bet their taxes are astronomical.

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Besides the obvious economic benefit Calgary would receiving by winning the bid, watching Trump lose his mind and stomp around bitching and moaning about some faux patriotism will be just as rewarding. Watching him encourage patriots to boycott Amazon will be down right comical.

I was thinking about this last night: Does Trump and his general demeanour towards protectionism help or hurt Calgary with this bid?

On one side, Amazon and Bezos have been dead-set against the Trump regime, so they may want to 'stick it to' the white house and give a big FU to Trump.

On the other side, they may be scared of repercussions to the decision, such as tariffs (see: Bombardier), the exposure of tax loop holes, etc.

I hope its the first one.

[lazypucker]

So when is the announcement for the winning bid? Is it coming soon or will it take a while (a long while)?

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

I was thinking about this last night: Does Trump and his general demeanour towards protectionism help or hurt Calgary with this bid?

On one side, Amazon and Bezos have been dead-set against the Trump regime, so they may want to 'stick it to' the white house and give a big FU to Trump.

On the other side, they may be scared of repercussions to the decision, such as tariffs (see: Bombardier), the exposure of tax loop holes, etc.

I hope its the first one.

I am sure Bezos hates Trump but if they put this office outside of the US, that’s doing more than sticking it to Trump. I believe there is no way in hell it is outside the US.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

So when is the announcement for the winning bid? Is it coming soon or will it take a while (a long while)?

All I've read is "2018".

[tvp2003]

Was wondering how much the failure of Target in Canada might influence Amazon's decision? I realize that was due to a number of issues, but the reality is that Canada has a much different retailing environment (from a shipping/logistics model) than the US...

Originally Posted by lazypucker

So when is the announcement for the winning bid? Is it coming soon or will it take a while (a long while)?

I think I read somewhere that they will be reviewing/analyzing the bids over the next year -- definitely not going to be a "quick" decision. Wouldn't be surprised to see them narrow it down to a short-list to start sharpening the details and getting cities to bring their "best offer".

[sleepingmoose]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I think I read somewhere that they will be reviewing/analyzing the bids over the next year -- definitely not going to be a "quick" decision. Wouldn't be surprised to see them narrow it down to a short-list to start sharpening the details and getting cities to bring their "best offer".

I also read they’re looking to have a 7 City shortlist within 6 weeks or so. The final decision would be late next year.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Was wondering how much the failure of Target in Canada might influence Amazon's decision? I realize that was due to a number of issues, but the reality is that Canada has a much different retailing environment (from a shipping/logistics model) than the US..

This new HQ isn't going to be a shipping centre, it's a tech hub for Amazon. Unless I misread, they aren't looking for warehouse space to ship anything out of the city they choose.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Every citizen is willing to fight a bear to protect an Amazon employee. Can you say that about Austinites?








Didn't think so

I bet an Austinite wouldn't even take a bat to the face for an Amazon employee?

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I bet an Austinite wouldn't even take a bat to the face for an Amazon employee?

Nicely played.

[PostandIn]

Originally Posted by New Era

New Jersey offers $7B in tax incentives. Newark setting the bar.

Even though there are some civic groups demanding that Amazon pay property taxes like everyone else, there are cities tripping all over themselves to "earn this business." $3B? $7B? Will a subsidy of that magnitude ever be paid off?

Depends on how the winning municipality squares its books i guess - subsidies vs. Amazon's investment and spin-off benefits. Interesting piece from the Spectator about corporate welfare and Bezo's guile in looking for handouts in the face of idiotically high profits.

https://spectator.org/an-open-letter-to-jeff-bezos/

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by PostandIn

Depends on how the winning municipality squares its books i guess - subsidies vs. Amazon's investment and spin-off benefits. Interesting piece from the Spectator about corporate welfare and Bezo's guile in looking for handouts in the face of idiotically high profits.

https://spectator.org/an-open-letter-to-jeff-bezos/

I encourage you to do the math. The answer should have more municipalities pulling a San Antonio and running the other way.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I am sure Bezos hates Trump but if they put this office outside of the US, that’s doing more than sticking it to Trump. I believe there is no way in hell it is outside the US.

I would think that Trump’s immigration policies would be perceived as a source of risk for Amazon and a reason to setup operations in a country that isn’t irrational when it comes to international talent attraction.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I find it somewhat ironic that amazon is seemingly worried out the quality of life the ee's at HQ2 would have; but, based on everything that is out there, it seems employees work 14 hrs per day 7 days per week.....

Then one thing going for every Canadian city is the pending federal legalization of recreational marijuana.

Amazon is already headquartered in Seattle. They know what's up.

[Weitz]

You think legal marijuana is going to have any affect on something like this?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Weitz

You think legal marijuana is going to have any affect on something like this?

Look at his Avatar. What Can't Pot Do ?