St. Louis submits bid for Amazon’s second headquarters
Media by Jay Sterling Austin
Amazon’s current headquarters (pictured) in Seattle is too small for the growing company.
It has 340,000 employees. It’s worth more than $430 billion. It needs a second HQ because it’s first is full. It’s Amazon.
Amazon’s second headquarters would have a massive impact on the economy of the city it chooses. With the potential of 50,000 jobs and $5 billion in local investment, cities all over America are trying to create a competitive bid for Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon.
St. Louis is one such city.
Sheila Sweeney, CEO of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, is actively involved in St. Louis’ proposal. She said Amazon would have a tremendous impact on the local economy.
“As we know, when corporations of that size move into a region, more businesses pop up to serve their needs, as do shops and restaurants, “ she said.
Sweeney also said St. Louis has a great chance of the proposal passing because of the city’s location and economy.
“St. Louis checks every box. We have a vibrant urban core, a major international airport and a great mass transit system. We sit at the confluence of major national riverways, highways and railways,” Sweeney said. “We’re actively fostering a strong tech community—something Microsoft and Square have already decided to capitalize on by opening regional operations in St. Louis. Not to mention one of our strongest selling points, which is a low-cost of living in a major metro with incredible cultural amenities.“
Greg Prestemon, president and CEO of EDC Business & Community Partners, also helped with the proposal. He said St. Louis has a lot to offer Amazon, but is less sure of Amazon accepting the bid.
“People in my field of economic development seem to think that the project will ultimately land in a region with an already fast growing population,” he said. “The STL region has been relatively flat in population for several decades.”
Amazon moving to St. Louis would not only stimulate the local economy, but it would also have benefits for the Rockwood School District, including increased funding and resources.
“Amazon is an innovative company, and they would help spark the conversation on innovation in St. Louis schools as well, “ Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost said.
He compared Amazon’s potential effect on St. Louis to when the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995.
“What’s good for St. Louis is what’s good for Rockwood,” Dr. Knost said.
St. Louis submitted the final proposal on Oct. 19. Amazon is expected to make a decision sometime this month.
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Eduardo Platon • Nov 18, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Yes, St. Louis is a great location for Amazon second HQ for all the reasons mentioned above. And lets not forget the huge infrastructure world class development in Ag BioTechnology and Medical Bio Technology what makes companies like Express Scripts and Centene perfect match for partnership in the delivery of prescription drugs, Amazon next target.