Detroit Doesn't Make The Cut: Amazon Narrows List Of Cities For Second HQ To 20
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Amazon won't be moving to the Motor City.
The online retail giant revealed Thursday its list of 20 contending cities for a second headquarters.
Finalist cities include: Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Denver; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Miami; Montgomery County, Md.; Nashville, Tenn.; Newark, N.J.; New York City; Northern Virginia; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Raleigh, N.C.; Toronto; and Washington, D.C.
"We would have loved to have made it into the next round for Amazon's second headquarters but everyone here is incredibly proud of the proposal we submitted," Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement. "It showed a clear vision for the future of our city and brought out the very best of our city and our region."
Amazon says it considered proposals from 238 cities. It's unclear when the company will make its final choice, but it will happen this year. The $5 billion project is expected to create 50,000 jobs.
Detroit's bid included office space in existing buildings, more space in projects under development and vacant land.
The bid was submitted in collaboration with the state and Wayne County. It included a low Michigan corporate tax rate and economic development tax incentives.
Amazon had made clear that tax breaks and grants would be a big factor in its decision about where to locate the project. Detroit told the company that it could keep all of the state personal income taxes paid by Amazon employees within key headquarters development sites for 10 years, and half of the taxes for the next 10 years.
The dollar value of Detroit's incentive package was redacted from documents released as part of Freedom of Information Act requests.
Duggan picked Dan Gilbert, founder of online mortgage lender Quicken Loans and Bedrock commercial real estate, to lead the team pursuing Amazon. Gilbert said he was disappointed but not deterred.
"Detroit is the most exciting city in the country right now and the momentum continues to build every single day," he said in a statement. "All you have to do is spend an hour walking around town and you will have a very clear and deep understanding of the opportunities, optimism and future of the motor city. We have no doubt our best days are ahead of us. There are numerous large and small deals you will continue to see develop into reality in the months and years ahead."
© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
