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By MIKE CATALINI, Associated Press
Sometimes losing, that is winning.
Or at least, that's what some of the 18 cities in North America that Amazon has said left for its new headquarters.
After 14 months of hardship and waiting for the online retail giant to decide, the finalists learned that instead of choosing a single site for its new offices, Amazon would divide them between Long Island City in Queens, New York and Arlington, Virginia, in the suburbs of Washington, sending about 25,000 jobs to everyone.
Places that have not made the cup support the rejection with a mixture of reflection, disappointment and optimism. But, while they are not taking advantage of the economic boom – for now – they have also shirked the obligation to give billions of dollars in tax incentives.
Amazon's search for a new home resulted in some 238 suitors from all over the continent that the company reduced to 20, in January, extending from Toronto to Miami to the east, to Denver and Los Angeles to the west.
The prospect of new jobs and the cachet associated with a technology giant like Amazon has led many cities to implement multi-billion dollar aggressive tax incentive programs, among other attractions.
Newark, New Jersey, for example, has proposed tax incentives in the amount of $ 2 billion as well as a potential $ 5 billion set up by the state.
"Given the size of the tax package we are proposing, many taxpayers are releasing a sigh of relief," said Brandon McKoy, head of government and public affairs at the New Jersey Policy Perspective think tank. "It was very exorbitant."
The other finalists were: Atlanta; Austin Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Indianapolis; Montgomery County, Maryland; Nashville; Pittsburgh; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Washington.
Some economic development experts argue that giving up billions of tax revenues through incentive programs was an imperfect state of mind from the beginning.
Richard Florida, an urban development expert at the University of Toronto, has framed Amazon's research in difficult terms, suggesting that the company is "playing" against cities to get the best deal, while exploring potential future sites for the cities. business centers.
He compared the selection process to the American Idol TV Talent Contest.
"We can resume economic development as appropriate, without going through these Amazon Idol competitions," he said.
New York has offered Amazon more than $ 1.5 billion in tax credits and other incentives, while Virginia and Arlington have disbursed about $ 573 million.
But tax incentives were not the only factor for Amazon. Indeed, the sites chosen had offered less than other places. Amazon has indicated that it has chosen the best sites to attract the highly skilled workers it seeks.
This is a small consolation for places left in search of what they could have done differently.
"We did a lot, but we did not succeed," said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, whose city was a candidate. "He calls us, as leaders of this city, to look closely at each other and say," Why can not we beat New York and Washington, DC? "
Others are taking a positive look at the defeat.
"This placed Philadelphia in the national (and international) spotlight – increasing our visibility on other companies and showing our viability for other large-scale projects," said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. in a statement.
Despite all the time and energy spent on the process, there is also a sense of relief in putting an end to this process, even though the result for most has not been so hoped for.
"I'm glad it's over," said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. "It's just a lot of anxiety, a lot of waiting."
Associated Press Editors Jamie Stengle and Jim Anderson contributed to this report.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.
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