Several lawmakers see opportunity after Amazon’s plan to open half of its second headquarters in New York City fell through this week.
A bipartisan pair of congressmen from upstate New York, Republican John Katko and Democrat Anthony Brindisi, sent a letter Friday to Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, inviting him to visit the region and consider relocating the campus there.
“Upstate New York is ready and willing to be open for business,” the lawmakers wrote. “While it is unfortunate that political battles downstate have blocked this investment in New York City, we agree with the governor and our colleagues representing Upstate communities — New York should still be home to Amazon and we welcome its growing operations.”
Amazon dropped its $2.5 billion plan to bring half of its second headquarters to Queens, including the 25,000 planned jobs, after it encountered political opposition from a handful of left-wing lawmakers representing the area.
[Read more: NYC congresswoman slams Amazon pullout decision, in contrast to AOC’s cheers]
The other half of the headquarters is being built in Crystal City, Va., just outside of Washington, D.C.
Republican Rep. Neal Dunn said Florida’s Panhandle-based second district, which he represents, would be prime locations for the campus.
“It is my understanding that local politicians failed to recognize the value of a top 10 Fortune 500 company providing 25,000 high paying job opportunities to their constituents,” Dunn said in a letter to Bezos Friday. “In light of this, I would like to draw your attention towards Panama City and Tallahassee, Florida.”
And Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., pitched his state for a campus from the e-commerce giant.
“Mr. @JeffBezos, South Carolina would love to have you locate your new HQ here. South Carolina is a great place to do business!” Graham tweeted Thursday.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., talked up Los Angeles, which previously bid for the campus.
“Hey @JeffBezos, @amazon ’s still welcome in LA,” Sherman tweeted.
Hey @JeffBezos, @amazon ’s still welcome in LA
https://t.co/Xyo1oPemKw— Rep. Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) February 15, 2019
As several lawmakers competed for Bezos’ attention for an Amazon campus, politicians in the city, including freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, took a victory lap Thursday as Amazon walked away with an estimated 25,000 jobs in its burgeoning investment in Long Island City, Queens.
Many far-left advocates and progressive politicians in the area felt Amazon only chose to build the campus in Queens due to $3 billion in tax subsidies from the city.
