It’s Atlanta. Or at least it looks like it is. The is the frontrunner for Amazon’s second headquarters, according to news reports.
The city of Stonecrest iis probably the most creative in its bid to lure Amazon’s proposed second headquarters to Georgia. The Stonecrest City Council voted 4-2 in late September to de-annex nearly 350 acres of real estate if the company chooses the site over other cities. The land will be called Amazon, Ga., the mayor of Stonecrest said, according to local media.
The Seattle-based tech giant announced Sept. 7 that it would build a new North America headquarters in a metropolitan city with an international airport, touching off a frenzied national competition. The project is expected to ring tens of thousands of jobs and raise the profile of the region — wherever it’s located — immeasurably.
“Let’s be honest with ourselves: This is the largest economic development deal in the history of America,” Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle told the AJC. “It would require action by the Legislature if we are successful. And I’m very optimistic that we can land Amazon in the state, and we’re in great position to do that.”
The Inc. quoted Jeremy Bodenhamer, who runs a $13 million shipping and logistics firm,: “We believe they will select Atlanta,”he was quoted as saying. He cited the area’s deep well of tech talent as well as the region’s reputation as harboring people with top logistical knowledge (UPS as well as Lockheed is based here) a top reason.
Stonecrest’s mayor said he still believes his small city can lure the tech titan: “There are several major U.S. cities that want Amazon, but none has the branding opportunity we are now offering this visionary company,” Lary was quoted as saying. “How could you not want your 21st century headquarters to be located in a city named Amazon?”