Amazon HQ2 to KC?
 

http://www.kansascity.com/news/polit...178220811.html

Discuss

FTA: Maybe, maybe not.
'Ol Sly seems to think it's happening; because of that, I'd bet not.

From the article: "Proposals to Amazon are not due until Oct. 19."

I'm sure this is just a PR push to announce that KC is submitting it's bid. Would be happily proved wrong, though.

Amazon just opened two fulfillment centers in Lenexa. The one I work at part time was rated the #1 fulfillment center of it's type in the country.

They're coming here. This is going to be great for the local economy.

Airport doesn't have enough direct flights to the requisite places, no public transport, not enough desirable housing and there cities with cheaper commercial real estate.

Jesus Christ you seem like a depressing individual

K.

That stuff is all literally listed in the requirements from Amazon.

Sorry, St. Pete is getting the HQ.

Then why would KC even bother submitting a bid? Sounds like they are out of the running before the starting whistle.

If Panties says it's going to happen...

I alway listen to the part time customer service tech. from a "fulfillment" center when it comes to major economic deals.

KC is due to give away the farm to Amazon but at what cost? What will we learn from Cerner at a cost of 1.63 Billion dollars?

We supposedly got a shot at this because we have a spot right on the highway. Where the Rays play now, Tropicana dome. They are going to move to a new site.

Plenty of room for parking and expansion but not far from all the cool stuff mellinals are flocking to from all over the USA. It has the "cool" factor to help Amazon attract the top talent from all over. They will be able to walk from the office to their condos and really cool restaurants and bars and there is a grocery store there too,

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adammil.../#17a775211057

:facepalm:

They didn't open two fulfillment centers here within weeks of each other for no reason.

It's happening. They fly in people from all around the country to run things at our facility. This place is already the center for a lot of activity, and the fact things are running so well here (#1 fulfillment center in the country) is a good sign.

Maybe KC is excited because they're only about 10 hours east of where the new headquarters will be.

It's not out of the question that they could get over some of that stuff if KC made a strong enough pitch for it (read: $$$), but when you read through what they're looking for, it doesn't exactly scream "Kansas City."

https://qz.com/1071832/amazons-hq2-w...-headquarters/

This.

KC has been getting hit with criticism from doing these deal behind closed doors. Probably trying to show some transparency and reveal their strategy in trying to get Amazon here.

there are 5 or 6 amazon fulfillment/distro centers in the KC area, have been for a few years. Means nothing for HQ2.

This.

It means nothing. Fulfillment centers have been popping up everywhere the past few years, not just KC.

Wishful thinking.

but, it does scream St. Pete. :clap:

Are people sorting boxes really a good job? Isnt that basically what these fulfillment centers are? Sure more jobs are better than less jobs but it doesn't seem like a Cerner situation where there are tons of 70k+ jobs

The Amazon headquarters is full of $100k+ tech geeks. That's quite a bit different than the fulfillment centers.

I think the point of Amazon looking for 'HQ2' is so they can find a location with drastically cheaper cost of living so they can turn around and depress the **** out of their wages.

Hopefully they pick somewhere relatively affordable. The wife turned down a great gig with them because Seattle cost of living. Will be watching this process fairly close.

yep, if the Amazon HQ comes here, they are going to need experienced Enterprise architect/engineers to build out and secure a data center. Maybe someone who lives 5 minutes away?

Would love to be wrong, as I often am. KC appears a long shot. Competing with Tampa, Charlotte and probably many more cities with better infrastructure. Our hiways are tough to beat however. Heh.

Charlotte

That's probably very true. If that was their motive, it would make sense to do it in a place like Florida that doesn't have state of income taxes.

Press conference not being covered? Where's the news?

Oops wrong time zone.

I saw Sly and Jeff Bezos eating breakfast at McDonalds in the 10 Main Center downtown this morning. Sly had a deluxe big breakfast and a McGriddle on the side. Bezos had 2 breakfast burritos with hot sauce and a McCafe. I think we got this.

On the flip side of that, it can be extremely challenging to attract high end tech talent to this part of the country. I think that's the major limiting factor that makes KC being selected a stretch.

Well they're going to go to a place that offers the best tax abatements for them that is a defensible place for techs and entry/mid level management types to move to that's cheaper than Seattle.

Going to a state with no individual income tax is a bonus to help sell existing employees and new hires on to but what matters is a cheaper overall cost of living most likely.

Pictures or it didn't happen...

You should have posted it it on the "What's for Dinner" thread and demanded to get a picture of the food.



Really taking as billionaire to McD's for breakfast??? Sly: you suck!

I don't think state tax is much of a factor.

The state of MO and especially the KC region has shown they are willing to bend over and spread for companies, which is ultimately what appeals to Amazon. If it's an issue to you as an employee, be less poor?

Sweetheart deal, real estate availability for them and workers and at least a solid plan to provide infrastructure will put you into contention.

Workers from all over will come for jobs, so workers around isn't much of an issue. They already hunt allover for their original HQ.

They made the wishlist how they did to make cities that don't fit the entire criteria bend over even further, that way they have even more leverage. It comes to money and nothing but money.

Lunch was a burger at Town Topic on Broadway they sat at the counter.

did Sly get the Truckstop plate?

Shit's weak.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What&#39;s the best way to get Amazon excited about a new KC HQ? Amazon product reviews. Tell Amazon why you love KC with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KC5stars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KC5stars</a>. <a href="https://t.co/kD9lPnwywb">pic.twitter.com/kD9lPnwywb</a></p>&mdash; Mayor Sly James (@MayorSlyJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorSlyJames/status/918205849520295937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I bought 1,000 products for charity on Amazon and reviewed them all with a little KC love. Read all my reviews at <a href="https://t.co/fXuxqnmp3v">https://t.co/fXuxqnmp3v</a> <a href="https://t.co/JBLHyiE51P">pic.twitter.com/JBLHyiE51P</a></p>&mdash; Mayor Sly James (@MayorSlyJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorSlyJames/status/918208683930251264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Phoenix is submitting. Phoenix, alone, is a better selection than KC, given the high level criteria.

maybe sweeten the deal by giving them free sponsorship of the Kiss Cam at Kauffman.

I'm not a fan of Sly's due to his participation in the flat out lying that the teams would leave kc if the stadium improvements weren't done, but this is actually quite clever. Well done mayor.

So it was all a scam? That won't sit well with Amazon headquarters.

You better start writing product and city reviews...

I'll make you a bet...

Amazon announces its HQ2 will be in KC and I will leave CP, they don't: You leave..for good...

Bet? Mr **** another mans wife and brag about it on social media man.

Free signage (a word spell check does not know...) along the access road to the dumps (landfills) both in KS and MO?

You forgot a big one. Talent pool. They'll want a place they can pick off a ton of young talent cheap. I'd bet it will be Midwest for the logistical advantages and cost of living. If I had to guess, Austin seems like a difficult one to beat. It has transportation, affordable cost of living, booming tech climate, and a massive university to bring in cheap young talent.

If Cerner can't find enough Tech talent how would Amazon?

Austin would be a nightmare if they want to surround their HQ with distribution sites. Literally has 2 of the 10 worst stretches of highway in the U.S.

If that were the case, the only areas of Florida with cheaper costs of living would be in the northern part of the state, and I don't see them going to a place like Jacksonville or Pensacola.

AKA: Phoenix

Last year I would have been against it. But since those aholes decided to start charging Missourians sales tax even though they technically don't have to, might as well.

Last time I checked the cost of living in Austin was not cheap, University escorts have gone up a hundred this year alone :D:D:D and rents are super high running $250 month more than TX and $150 more than USA. They rank 117 vs 100 in COL costs.

KC is much cheaper than Austin in rents and equal in everything else.

Compared to the rest of the country, Kansas City Metro Area's cost of living is 6.10% Lower than the U.S. average.

Compared to the rest of the country, Austin's cost of living is 17.40% Higher than the U.S. average.

I will say Austin is hip for younger employees living in urban settings compared to KC

Cummin's has a hard time recruiting because there is little nightlife (social opportunities) near their headquarters in Columbus, IN but Austin does have nightlife and college amenities in their favor.

So I call bullshit on your Austin COL claims

Cummins is challenged too

I'm excited to be visiting Phoenix this weekend. Where am I eating at?

Scottsdale or between the A and the T:D:D:D

I wouldn't know where to start. Where will you be?

I don't think KC has much of a shot. If they go midwest, I imagine it'd be Minneapolis, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Denver. Cities with younger populations, large or appealing metro areas, more affordable than the coasts.

I'm not convinced it'll be midwest, though.

They will want attractive incentives, a deep resource pool, and cheap associated costs.

It would be a great thing for KC but they don't stand a chance really.

According to my fiancé, it's in Payson. Apparently that's not exactly a suburb of Phoenix, but more in the mountains?

We'll be in Phoenix one day looking around though.

I didn't say it was cheap, but it's affordable given its size. If Amazon knocks out places without public transportation or enough direct flights, that puts Austin very high on the short list when it comes to affordability. And Public transportation also gives a lot more flexibility to live wherever you want.

Seems like a strong contender as well.

My guess is Atlanta. Georgia Tech, existing logistics staffing, major airline hub, relatively low cost of living. Their sprawl may hurt them though. I'd consider Chicago if it weren't for the crime and government instability. People are fleeing Cook County.

You will be equal distance from Phoenix and Flagstaff. Go to Sedona.

Phoenix is stuffed full of great restaurants. Best Mexican (where they speak english) can be found at The Mission and Old Towne Tortilla Factory. Both in Scottsdale.

Guadalupe is where you want your Mexican food from. But you better learn Spanish or you won't be able to order anything.

Is there really any particular reason they need distribution sites close to the HQ?

Austin isn't the cheapest place but neither is it super expensive for cities that can check all the other boxes.

Although is the Austin airport really any more connected than KCI? From a quick search, it looks like they each serve around the same number of passengers/year.

A publication had the Atlanta area as the front runner as they have 5 parameters that Amazon considered accentual. The KC area scored 2.5 the airport being the half mark. This doesnt leave KC area out just going to have to sell it and have promises of upgrades.

I will say if engineering feasibility studies haven't happened in last year in your area you are most likely already out as this is fast tracked. From our in town surveyors I know 5 sites in kc area that have worked on these over the last year. We also did this for the distribution facilities in Mo. and Ks that were built. Dont fool yourself and think we are not a contender. I have said all I best say on this.

srvy is correct. All articles I have seen have Atlanta at the top. Austin is consistently in the top 10. Don't count out Nashville.

KC is not to be seen.

The distribution centers are happening all over to better fulfill the pledge of 2 day shipping and eventually same day.

Google Fiber a big plus for KC plus the old Municipal airport can fly in a lot of cargo planes for Amazon

I sorted this by Tech talent, which will be weighed heavily by Amazon. Atlanta and Raleigh are in the sweet spot (including rent and home values) but I haven't seen Raleigh mentioned much at all.

https://i.imgur.com/xrOQYak.jpg

I have a place up there... Where you staying in Payson?

I cook at home 98% of the time and it's brewpub grub the rest of the time so I will not be much help finding dining spots.

Places I like are

That Brewery and pub Pine Az
*** Fargo's Steakhouse****
Geraldo's
Old County Inn beer pizza and good stuff


P.S. Payson is just shy of 100 miles of Phoenix

Find something you like in Sodona. Anywhere! Shit on cardboard tastes good in Sedona because of the views so just pick one via Yelp. Seriously, it's worth a trip there even if just for dinner.

May I suggest a 4 hr drive RT to Flagstaff? Do it in the daylight. I attached pics taken at sunrise.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE...rdb5299011.jpg

Tampa already has a same day fullfillment center. The state is going to cough up a $BILLION+ tax incentive. Missouri to Florida you gain 6% in salary by not paying state tax.

Housing in this area is as cheap as any metro area in Florida. You can be 5 minutes from the proposed site and get you a 2500sqft 3bdr/2bath for about $250k-$300K that's 10-15 minutes from the best beaches in the USA.

The desirability factor of attracting and keeping talent has to matter to Amazon. They are going to get their billion tax breaks from somewhere anyway.

Maybe, maybe not.

The one thing KC has over ALL other cities putting in a bid - I-35, I-70, I-49, I-29. We're in the middle of the country with easy access to everywhere, and that saves them money on shipping all their shit all over the country.

Edit ^^^^^^ beat me to it. KC has something almost know other place has on its side. Geogrpahy. Logistics definitely plays a role in this


Would seem to make great since from a logistucal standpoint. KC is in the heart of the US. Also, low tax incentives making KC more competitive and business friendly.

Amazon can't ship packages to kcmo in 2 days for prime members. Numerous times this has happened to me.

2 "Prime days" = 3 actual days

Their not worried about shipping, they need to move people.

And the views of the mountains and ocean are spectacular in KC too. Maybe take JB to six mile cove on 4th of July....

Probably will end up in Denver due to legal devils lettuce much like their hq1

Where would they build an HQ in KC? Bannister is taken, I guess they could buy up google fiber since that business tried to launch in KC and failed.

They can ship in computer nerds so I don't think tech talent pool would be that big of a factor.

No income tax is appealing but Florida randomly caves into sink holes LMAO so Texas would be the better choice.

An existing and sustainable talent pool seems like a top priority.

Since when is Google Fiber gone?

They will pay to relocate the right talent, they just need affordable living outside of Seattle