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Amazon Second HQ

Here's the statement from City Hall:

January 18, 2018
Mayor Tory's statement on the Toronto Region making the shortlist for Amazon HQ2

"Today, Amazon announced that the Toronto Region is one of 20 cities on the shortlist for Amazon HQ2.

The Toronto Region has emerged as a global centre of innovation and technology because of our talented, diverse and inclusive workforce. We have incredible home grown success stories and Amazon would further accelerate our success by investing more than $5 billion in construction and creating as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs.

We are excited to have this opportunity and to be able to tell Toronto's unique story.

There is no other city region in North America that can boast the same talent, the same quality of life, the same vibrancy and economic strength.

Toronto is a place where people want to live and I am dedicated to making sure that our quality of life keeps getting better. We are investing millions in transit expansion and state of good repair, affordable housing, parks and active transportation. We are working hard to elevate our reputation as a liveable, affordable city where everyone can succeed.

Last year, I said I would put the Toronto Region up against any city in North America as the place for ambitious, forward-looking companies looking for a home.

I'm glad that Amazon agrees that Toronto is worth considering and I look forward to working with Toronto Global and my fellow GTA mayors and regional chairs as we continue to go through the bidding process over the coming months.

I will continue to do whatever I can to bring good secure jobs to Toronto. They are crucial to our ongoing success."​
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torontologist said:
Valid point that tech giants *in the past* tended to locate themselves in remote locations. I don't think that's what they're looking for right now. Amazon's corporate culture is constructed around being in Seattle. They're not Google or Apple.

Baltimore isn't on the shortlist. Taxes in Illinois are too high. Denver isn't far east enough to get the benefits of a second HQ. Atlanta isn't a good cultural fit.

Based on the shortlist, I think we're possibly in the top 5. Philly, Boston, and Pittsburgh are probably the top 3.
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I'd add DC to that list, too.
 
Yeah, I agree, I'd say it's the DC area's to lose.

42
 
It might be fun for Bezos to rub his wealth directly into Trump's face. (for the next 3 years anyway, if Dump lasts that long.)

Anyway, Toronto doesn't have a hope in hell. Any Amazon exec checking out Toronto this winter will head directly back into the terminal once that that minus 20 air hits his shnozz. (I suspect that's why Minneapolis didn't make the cut--even though it seems like the ideal city in every other way.) I'm betting on Atlanta, then Austin, then DC.
 
Here's the statement from Queen's Park:

Statement from Premier Wynne and Minister Del Duca on Amazon's HQ2 Shortlist
January 18, 2018

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister of Economic Development and Growth Steven Del Duca today released the following statement recognizing Ontario's position on the shortlist of locations for Amazon's second headquarters (HQ2):
"The Government of Ontario welcomes the news that Amazon has placed the Toronto Region on its shortlist as a potential site for HQ2, with the promise of as many as 50,000 ongoing and well-paying jobs. Of the more than 238 bidding cities across North America, Toronto stands out as an ideal destination with its talented and educated workforce, leading research and educational institutions, competitive investment climate, outstanding quality of life and vibrant, diverse communities.

Innovation drives today's rapidly changing economy, and Ontario is leading the way. Globally recognized technology companies have already taken notice of what Ontario has to offer. Apple, Google, IBM and Amazon already conduct R&D in Ontario. Whether it is a world-leading tech company expanding into new markets or an Ontario-based company piloting new and innovative projects, our province sets companies up for success.

Ontario's greatest strength is our people, and that's exactly what we communicated directly to Amazon's CEO, Jeff Bezos. Diverse, educated and innovative -- they are exactly the kind of talented, motivated people companies like Amazon need to stay ahead of the competition.

As a government, we know our people have what it takes to help companies like Amazon grow, and we are doing everything we can to ensure they are ready for these opportunities. We are providing free tuition to hundreds of thousands of students, increasing the number of STEM graduates by 25 per cent, and graduating 1,000 applied masters in Artificial Intelligence within five years.

Taken together with a plan that expands medicare by making prescription medications free for everyone under 25, creates 100,000 new child care spots and raises the minimum wage to $15 an hour, we are building an Ontario where workers and businesses can truly thrive in this changing global economy. No competing U.S. city comes even close to offering this level of talent, nor can they measure up in the ways we are supporting both workers and businesses, be it through universal public health care, a strong system of publicly funded education, expanding access to quality and affordable child care or the magnitude of our commitment to public infrastructure.

Our fair, diverse and inclusive communities foster knowledge sharing and forward-thinking attitudes unparalleled with other regions across North America. And our world-class research institutions and generous R&D tax incentives make Ontario an ideal place to develop innovative new technologies and ideas.

This recognition of our province and Toronto's many strengths confirm that our plan for a fairer, better Ontario is working. We are building a province where there are more jobs, more investment and every opportunity for success.

To help support Toronto Region in the next stage of this process, we have asked Ed Clark, in his capacity as Business Advisor to the Premier, to chair the government's response. Clark, former Group President and CEO of TD Bank Group, will help to guide the bid in collaboration with Toronto Global, federal and local governments, and all other involved business and community stakeholders.

We also want to acknowledge the remarkable work of the other Ontario communities that submitted bids to Amazon and, in the process, helped to strengthen the profile and reach of our province's many strengths.

Independent of the outcome, we will continue to foster a culture of innovation, and be a supportive, enthusiastic partner to all companies looking to do business in Ontario."​
 
ADRM said:
I'd add DC to that list, too.
Click to expand...

Knew I was forgetting something. The DC area, certainly. The taxes in DC are too high. It'll be some suburb in Virginia or Maryland, depending on operating costs.
 
salsa said:
Isn't that a drawback for Toronto too?
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My understanding is that our corporate taxes are quite low. It's income tax that is the main issue. American management won't like it.

If our taxes are higher, I have a feeling that the cost savings from the Canadian dollar and employee salaries would outweigh any tax burdens. Tech talent in Toronto costs 40% less than Seattle.
 
torontologist said:
My understanding is that our corporate taxes are quite low. It's income tax that is the main issue. American management won't like it.

If our taxes are higher, I have a feeling that the cost savings from the Canadian dollar and employee salaries would outweigh any tax burdens. Tech talent in Toronto costs 40% less than Seattle.
Click to expand...

Our income taxes also aren't higher than they are in many of the shortlisted cities and, yes, Canada has lower corporate (and small business) tax rates than the US, on average.
 
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