I am surprised a thread hasn't been created yet.  Good for NYC, they finally catch a break...

My office used to be in Crystal City, before it moved.  I am not surprised about the Crystal City location.  Right next to the Pentagon and DC is a short metro ride away.

https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-announces-nyc-and-northern-virginia-as-hq2-winners/

Here is the last thread we had on this topic with some predictions.  I was pretty close:

https://ohiochatter.com/forum/serious-business/amazon-5-billion-headquarterscolumbus-in-finals

New Yorkers already bitching about it. 

posted by iclfan2

New Yorkers already bitching about it. 

I kinda don't blame them considering they will be footing the $1.2B+ bill. 

posted by like_that

I kinda don't blame them considering they will be footing the $1.2B+ bill. 

Technically they are just not collecting MORE taxes. It isn't like it is taking money out of the tax pot that could be used elsewhere, just not getting the money they could in their absurd taxed state. And supposedly it should still provide the city and state $20+ billion over 25 years. I do kind of have an issue with cities/ states whoring themselves out, but the capitalist in me makes me think it isn't that bad.

posted by iclfan2

Technically they are just not collecting MORE taxes. It isn't like it is taking money out of the tax pot that could be used elsewhere, just not getting the money they could in their absurd taxed state. And supposedly it should still provide the city and state $20+ billion over 25 years. I do kind of have an issue with cities/ states whoring themselves out, but the capitalist in me makes me think it isn't that bad.

The capitalist in me doesn't blame Amazon.  Any business would take such an offer, but if you prefer the freest market possible it's hard not to look at this as the Government (in this case very liberal NY) picking winners. Amazon was given a 1.2B tax credit, 325M direct grant to build offices, and 1B in incentives.  It does brings the lulz that the same people who cry about tax cuts for the rich are also the same people who are perfectly fine with NYC whoring themselves out to Amazon (especially Cuomo and De Blasio). 

Wouldn't it just make more sense for the entire state to lower taxes and regulations to incentivize businesses to move there?  

LOLing at radical liberal dems extending tax breaks to a corporation and a billionaire.  The irony is immeasurable.

posted by like_that

It does brings the lulz that the same people who cry about tax cuts for the rich are also the same people who are perfectly fine with NYC whoring themselves out to Amazon (especially Cuomo and De Blasio). 

 

Wouldn't it just make more sense for the entire state to lower taxes and regulations to incentivize businesses to move there?  

Ha didn't NY sue over the tax breaks to individuals?  That part IS hilarious. Didn't they used to care about CEO pay too?

And no shit, maybe don't have such terrible tax policies. 

Lots of faux outrage here. 

I don't live in LIC, nor anywhere close to it regarding commute, so IDGAF. I do field work in that area regularly though. I can understand the complaints from LIC residents, it's already crowded with nonstop construction and high traffic commutes in and out of the area.

I expect surrounding area's rent to increase for sure though. Greenpoint, Astoria, Sunnyside and other routes along the Brooklyn and Queens trains that lead to LIC.

Saw a FB post that made me laugh yesterday. Something like, "well shit, this is going to make my rent go up!" Poster lives in Bedstuy. Amazon HQ will have zero effect on that area. lol

posted by Automatik

Lots of faux outrage here. 

I don't live in LIC, nor anywhere close to it regarding commute, so IDGAF. I do field work in that area regularly though. I can understand the complaints from LIC residents, it's already crowded with nonstop construction and high traffic commutes in and out of the area.

I expect surrounding area's rent to increase for sure though. Greenpoint, Astoria, Sunnyside and other routes along the Brooklyn and Queens trains that lead to LIC.

Saw a FB post that made me laugh yesterday. Something like, "well shit, this is going to make my rent go up!" Poster lives in Bedstuy. Amazon HQ will have zero effect on that area. lol

I bet you wish you bought some property in Astoria when you lived there though...

What I would love to see is the all the outrage from the cities that didn't get the Amazon HQ(s). Anyone seen Atlanta/Pittsburgh/Memphis/Austin/etc... bitching up a storm about "missing out" on the Amazon HQs

posted by Commander of Awesome

What I would love to see is the all the outrage from the cities that didn't get the Amazon HQ(s). Anyone seen Atlanta/Pittsburgh/Memphis/Austin/etc... bitching up a storm about "missing out" on the Amazon HQs

It would have been cool to see Amazon pick a random small or mid size city.  

posted by like_that

It would have been cool to see Amazon pick a random small or mid size city.  

I can think of a few in Ohio that could have used it for sure.

It's funny to me that it was a huge story where they would pick for their next HQ and tons of cities wanting them. Then when they actually pick a spot, all you hear is the ppl in those cities bitch about it, and you don't hear anything from the cities that missed out. Makes me wonder if it's actually a benefit or not.

posted by Commander of Awesome

I can think of a few in Ohio that could have used it for sure.

It's funny to me that it was a huge story where they would pick for their next HQ and tons of cities wanting them. Then when they actually pick a spot, all you hear is the ppl in those cities bitch about it, and you don't hear anything from the cities that missed out. Makes me wonder if it's actually a benefit or not.

I think it’s a benefit for a city that is midsized to small. But DC and NYC do not fit that bill. For them, it’s a nuisance to add another big company.

posted by Commander of Awesome

Makes me wonder if it's actually a benefit or not.

People bitch or don't bitch because 95% of them are clueless about economics.

$1B in tax incentives vs. $20B or whatever in income taxes generated....easy to do the math (except most people also suck at math).  But most people, especially on the left side of the aisle, wrongly think about it as a corporate welfare, and the talking points they read don't mention the economic benefits.  To them, just another handout to an evil, greedy company - the memes write themselves...

Most people don't care one way or the other because it doesn't affect them. Some, near the actual HQ, have legit complaints about increased traffic and higher rent (unless you own, in which case your home value just skyrocketed).

posted by gut

People bitch or don't bitch because 95% of them are clueless about economics.

$1B in tax incentives vs. $20B or whatever in income taxes generated....easy to do the math (except most people also suck at math).  But most people, especially on the left side of the aisle, wrongly think about it as a corporate welfare, and the talking points they read don't mention the economic benefits.  To them, just another handout to an evil, greedy company - the memes write themselves...

Most people don't care one way or the other because it doesn't affect them. Some, near the actual HQ, have legit complaints about increased traffic and higher rent (unless you own, in which case your home value just skyrocketed).

I could be wrong, but outside of wacko Ocasio, I thought this was the main reason for outrage. Other than the tax credits, this seems to be the main source of complaints here in DC.  Traffic is already a nightmare and our metro system is complete trash.  Maybe they should sell our metro system to Amazon. 

I just think it is funny when people cry about capitalism it is normally because of the Government's involvement, yet somehow they always seem to blame it on evil capitalism.  Whenever you see corrupt capitalism, I am willing to bet there is a 95% chance the government was invovled.  Why does capitalism take the hit, and government gets a free pass?  These are the same people who want more government involvement, because they believe if their party is in control everything would be much better. 

posted by like_that

It would have been cool to see Amazon pick a random small or mid size city.  

They are going to set up an operations center in Nashville.

posted by QuakerOats

 

They are going to set up an operations center in Nashville.

True, but not even remotely close to what HQ2 is going to bring.  Imagine Cleveland (not even sure if they placed a bid) getting HQ2 and all of a sudden 50,0000 high paying jobs are available.  Cleveland has been doing well recently, but Amazon HQ2 would completely change that city.

posted by like_that

I bet you wish you bought some property in Astoria when you lived there though...

Haha I was wayyy too poor and clueless back then. That would have been the ideal time too. Astoria was still known as top value area, not anymore. Rent has skyrocketed. 

https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/editorials/2018/11/15/amazon-headquarters-farce-is-over/stories/20181115029