After receiving negative feedback on plans to build an HQ facility in Long Island City, Queens, Amazon is changing course. Local politicians indicated through a series of Twitter posts that they feel frustrated with the company’s apparent unwillingness to work through differences. New York will lose new investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars and about 25,000 new jobs according to Carolyn Maloney, New York congresswoman.
Many politicians opposed the deal. Alexandria Osasio-Cortez, freshman Congresswoman based in New York, said Amazon’s decision to pull out of the deal is a victory for a vocal portion of the New York citizenry who did not want Amazon’s newest headquarters located in Long Island City.
New Jersey governor, Phil Murphy, wants Amazon to consider building their headquarters in his state. He says Newark is a clear choice. Amazon says it has no definite plans to continue the search for an HQ2 location right now.
The company will continue expansion plans in Nashville and Virginia. The Nashville hub will employ 5,000 people.
Julie Samuels, Executive Director of Tech:NYC, is disappointed in Amazon’s decision. Her non-profit is comprised of multiple technology leaders in New York City. She considers this new development a mark against the city as they try to maintain their status as a dynamic technology hub.
