NEWS

Rhode Island entered the North American contest to land the second headquarters for Amazon.com on Thursday, submitting a proposal that identifies seven communities as potential host sites. The application and a companion website, www.riforamazon.us, include several videos with state and corporate leaders promoting the assets of Rhode Island, and encouraging Amazon to give the Ocean State a look. The locations submitted in the application submitted by the R.I. Commerce Corp. are: Providence, Pawtucket-Central Falls, Warwick, East Providence, North Kingstown, Richmond and Woonsocket. Pawtucket and Central Falls already have announced they wanted to be considered as a shared site, identifying a location near the train station set to be developed in the next two years. Much of the Commerce RI application was not disclosed publicly, including the specific sites within the communities or an explanation as to why they would meet the specific needs of Amazon, as well as any financial or tax incentives offered by the state or communities. Four renderings were released with the application, meant to convey what a building might look like within the established environment. They include two sites in downtown Providence, within the Jewelry District or the I-195 Redevelopment District land near Interstate 95. In its detailed instructions to respondents, Amazon explained that it is prepared to develop a second corporate headquarters and hire as many as 50,000 full-time workers, with annual compensation exceeding $100,000 over the next five to 15 years. The project is expected to exceed $5 billion in investment. Headquartered in Seattle, Amazon told applicants it would prefer locations for its so-called HQ2 that have a population exceeding 1 million people, that have a stable and business-friendly environment, and that have urban or suburban sites with the potential to attract and retain tech talent. Specifically, it said its building requirements exceed 500,000 square feet for a first phase, or 100 acres of developable land. Infill buildings could also be considered, in any combination that meet its space needs. In the introductory video, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo cited the stature that Amazon would occupy as a dominant employer in Rhode Island, emphasized the regional economy, and the recent move to the state by Johnson & Johnson and General Electric. “Rhode Island is a small pond in a big ocean,” she stated. “And Amazon would be right at home here. You’d have the access, influence and impact that would come from being a dominant employer in our state. But you’d be right in the middle of a multitrillion-dollar regional economy that has global, cultural, financial and political influence.” Another video, released publicly on the website, emphasizes the green technology and cultural amenities of Rhode Island, including being the home of the nation’s first offshore wind farm and several James Beard Award-nominated chefs. In a lengthy statement released Thursday, Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor said the state submission includes sites across the Ocean State and describes the partnerships, business climate and quality of life that make Rhode Island attractive, and the proposal competitive. A collaboration among Rhode Island universities aimed at Amazon employees would be a part of the state’s proposal. Called “Amazon Academy,” the project would involve regular offers from Rhode Island colleges and universities that would serve as professional development and continuing education options for Amazon employees. Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.