NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The controversial Amazon deal is dead, taking with it the 25,000 jobs promised for its proposed headquarters in Long Island City.
The internet giant issued a statement on Thursday saying it will not pursue a second headquarters in Long Island City, and has no plans to look elsewhere.
“After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens,” read the statement. “For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term.
The deal was also expected to provide $30 billion in tax revenue after nearly $3 billion in promised tax breaks to one of world’s richest, most powerful companies. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the development could help offset funding needed to fix the city’s ailing transit system.
In November, Amazon chose the Long Island City section of Queens for one of two new headquarters, with the other in northern Virginia. The company had planned to spend about $2.5 billion building the New York office.
The reaction from lawmakers came fast and furious.
Cuomo, the top evangelizing champion of bringing Amazon to New York City, issued a statement condemning the deal’s critics.
“We competed in and won the most hotly contested national economic development competition in the United States,” Cuomo said. “However, a small group (of) politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community — which poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island City — the state’s economic future and the best interests of the people of this state.
“The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage,” the governor added. “They should be held accountable for this lost economic opportunity.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement chastising Amazon for not being “tough” enough to stand up to the deal’s criticism, adding, “We gave Amazon the opportunity to be a good neighbor and do business in the greatest city in the world. Instead of working with the community, Amazon threw away that opportunity. We have the best talent in the world and every day we are growing a stronger and fairer economy for everyone. If Amazon can’t recognize what that’s worth, its competitors will.”
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said the next big company that attempts to come to the Big Apple better be ready to work with all parties involved.
“I look forward to working with companies that understand that if you’re willing to engage with New Yorkers and work through challenging issues New York City is the world’s best place to do business,” Johnson said. “I hope this is the start of a conversation about vulture capitalism and where our tax dollars are best spent. I know I’d choose mass transit over helipads any day.”
Queens Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who ended up strongly against the deal after once signing a letter urging Amazon to come to New York, said he was thrilled by Thursday’s news.
“When our community fights together, anything is possible, even when we’re up against the biggest corporation in the world. I am proud that we fought for our values, which is a fight for working families, immigrants, and organized labor,” Van Bramer said in a statement. ”Defeating an anti-union corporation that mistreats workers and assists ICE in terrorizing immigrant communities is a victory. Defeating an unprecedented act of corporate welfare is a triumph that should change the way we do economic development deals in our city and state forever.”
Read the rest here: https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/02/14/amazon-new-york-city-deal-dead-amazon-hq2/
all because of his ex wife
“Some people say that money only goes if jobs are created, but that’s not entirely true. Half a billion dollars of that is a cash grant to them outright. You’re telling me we couldn’t use $500 million to help the subway system right now?” Gianaris said in an interview on CBSN New York.
Like children, with the twin idiots Cuomo and de Blasio, everything is always someone else’s fault. It couldn’t be they are died in the wool totalitarians, oh no, it is the fault of the locals who just do not have the vision and genius those two morons like to believe they have..