Amazon"s ambition to divide its second headquarters facility between two cities was canceled when it abandoned its plan to build an HQ in Long Island City, New York, due to opposition from local politicians and community groups. That decision left the e-commerce giant with only one target location for its new offices: Arlington, Virginia.
The company"s plan to build its second HQ in Crystal City in Arlington appears to be advancing as intended after the Arlington County Board agreed to subsidize Amazon"s project with a total of $23 million in local and state funds. The board"s decision was unanimous, but not without having met resistance from opponents consisting of left-leaning and immigrants’ groups who argued that housing prices in the area will soar high and lower-income workers will be displaced as highly paid employees may begin flocking to Arlington.
Supporters of Amazon"s plan, however, touted the project"s benefits to the region including economic boost, employment growth, and tax base expansion. It is expected to bring more than 25,000 jobs to Northern Virginia over 12 years, for example. Within that same period, Arlington"s revenue is also estimated to reach $162 million and $392.5 million over a 16-year period.
As part of Amazon"s incentive agreement with Arlington, 50% of new revenues that the district may generate beginning in 2021 will be spent on improving the infrastructure around Amazon"s new offices over the following decade including sidewalks and parks.
Source: The Washington Post