Amazon Scouts North American Cities To Build Massive $5 Billion Second HQ Adding 50,000 Jobs
Amazon has grown to big for its britches (or breeches, if you prefer that spelling). Having just recently spent $13.7 billion acquiring Whole Foods, the world's largest online retailer is now planning to open a second headquarters, Amazon HQ2, somewhere in North America, the company announced today. The endeavor comes with an expected investment of over $5 billion in order to construct and grow the new facility, which will create as many as 50,000 job openings.
"We expect HQ2 to be a full equal to our Seattle headquarters," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. "Amazon HQ2 will bring billions of dollars in up-front and ongoing investments, and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. We’re excited to find a second home."
Amazon's headquarters in Seattle measures 8.1 million square feet and contains 33 buildings. Image Source: Amazon
Amazon currently employs more than 380,000 workers around the world. In a press release announcing plans to build a second headquarters, Amazon points out it is ranked No. 1 on Fast Company's list of Most Innovative Companies, No. 2 on Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, No. 1 on The Harris Poll's Corporate Reputation survey, and No. 2 on LinkIn's US most desirable companies list.
The announcement is sure to attract proposals from cities around the nation, each looking to benefit from having Amazon in the vicinity. From 2010 to 2016, Amazon estimates its investments in Seattle have resulted in an additional $38 billion to the city's economy, with every dollar invested by Amazon generating an additional 1.4 dollars for the city's economy overall.
Amazon laid out a list of what it is looking for in choosing a location. Ideally the company's second headquarters will end up in a metropolitan area with more than one million people. Amazon is also looking for a "stable and business-friendly environment," along with area where it can attract technical talent.
Wherever Amazon's HQ2 ends up, the company insists it will not be a satellite office, but a full-fledged headquarters. Amazon expects to hire new teams for the new headquarters, though existing talent will have the opportunity to relocate, if they desire.
"We expect HQ2 to be a full equal to our Seattle headquarters," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. "Amazon HQ2 will bring billions of dollars in up-front and ongoing investments, and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. We’re excited to find a second home."
Amazon's headquarters in Seattle measures 8.1 million square feet and contains 33 buildings. Image Source: Amazon
Amazon currently employs more than 380,000 workers around the world. In a press release announcing plans to build a second headquarters, Amazon points out it is ranked No. 1 on Fast Company's list of Most Innovative Companies, No. 2 on Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, No. 1 on The Harris Poll's Corporate Reputation survey, and No. 2 on LinkIn's US most desirable companies list.
The announcement is sure to attract proposals from cities around the nation, each looking to benefit from having Amazon in the vicinity. From 2010 to 2016, Amazon estimates its investments in Seattle have resulted in an additional $38 billion to the city's economy, with every dollar invested by Amazon generating an additional 1.4 dollars for the city's economy overall.
Amazon laid out a list of what it is looking for in choosing a location. Ideally the company's second headquarters will end up in a metropolitan area with more than one million people. Amazon is also looking for a "stable and business-friendly environment," along with area where it can attract technical talent.
Wherever Amazon's HQ2 ends up, the company insists it will not be a satellite office, but a full-fledged headquarters. Amazon expects to hire new teams for the new headquarters, though existing talent will have the opportunity to relocate, if they desire.
