Governor Carney releases video, highlights Delaware’s competitiveness, low tax burden, educated workforce

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced three sites that Delaware has proposed to Amazon as the home for the company’s second North American headquarters. Governor Carney made the announcement at The Delaware Contemporary on Thursday afternoon on the Wilmington Riverfront, joined by Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, and New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer.

Also on Thursday, Governor Carney released a video highlighting what makes Delaware an attractive place for businesses to grow and create good-paying jobs. The video is available at OptionsInDE.com.

“Delaware is extremely well-positioned to be the home of Amazon’s second North American headquarters, and we believe that Delaware has submitted an aggressive, competitive proposal worthy of Amazon’s consideration,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware has great communities to live and raise a family, low taxes, responsive leadership, and a central location that has long been a great place for businesses to grow and create good-paying jobs. We look forward to talking more to Amazon about their options in Delaware.”

Delaware’s HQ2 site options are:

• First State Crossing – Claymont
  • 425 acres at the former Evraz Steel Mill with utilities in place
  • Future home to Claymont Train Stationo 1/3 of a mile to I-95 and I-495
  • 20 miles to Philadelphia City Hall, 13 miles to PHL Airport

•  Riverfront – Wilmington
  • A combination of properties on South Market Street along the Christina River
  • 82+ acres on the beautiful Wilmington Riverfront with utilities in place
  • 1/4 of a mile to I-95 and I-495
  • 1/3 of a mile to Wilmington Train Station
  • 27 miles to Center-City Philadelphia

• 1800 Concord Pike – Fairfax
  •  82 acres with utilities in place that is already home to AstraZeneca and a large JP Morgan Chase facility
  • 1 mile to I-95o 500,000 sq. ft. of existing office space available
  • 26 miles to Center-City Philadelphia

Delaware’s HQ2 sites meet the major requirements of Amazon’s RFP, which called for a second headquarters site within 30 miles of a population center of at least 1 million people, with proximity to an international airport with daily flights to Seattle, San Francisco, New York City and Washington, D.C., and easy access to mass transit, and major highways. Amazon also sought initial space of 500,000 square feet, with possible total space up to 8 million square feet, which Delaware’s site options would accommodate.

“Delaware and New Castle County are uniquely positioned to welcome Amazon’s second North American headquarters,” said New Castle County Executive Matthew Meyer. “Delaware has made a compelling case to Amazon – and to other job creators looking to expand – that demonstrates the exceptional value of our productive and skilled workforce, high quality of life, reasonable cost of living and responsive and responsible public sector. New Castle County is where they should build for their future.”

“The process of crafting the Amazon proposal has actually been quite uplifting. It’s given us the opportunity to collectively reflect on what’s been accomplished over the years to make our city, county and state wonderful places to live, work, enjoy life and raise our families,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “This effort has also confirmed a fact that makes Delaware a tremendous place to live and conduct business, and that is the ease with which government, community and business representatives can come together on a moment’s notice to meet, collaborate and make progress. We certainly know why Wilmington and Delaware are excellent locations for the new Amazon headquarters, and hopefully Amazon will agree after reviewing our proposal.”

In addition to the strength of the sites, Delaware’s application focused on the state’s low tax burden, central location, comparatively affordable cost of living, highly trained and educated workforce, transportation flexibility, connectivity speed, and significant cultural and recreational opportunities.

Part of the state’s response to Amazon’s request for proposals is an attractive and competitive package of incentives. Companies considering expanding in Delaware have access to a number of programs designed to encourage growth, including the New Economy Jobs Tax Credit, Business Facility Tax Credit and grants or loans through the Delaware Strategic Fund. Amazon – which is incorporated in Delaware and has fulfillment centers in New Castle and Middletown – has said it will make a selection for HQ2 in 2018 but has not announced a specific timeline for announcing that decision. The company issued a nationwide RFP last month as it sought to add a new headquarters to its existing one in Seattle.

Letters of support for Delaware’s HQ2 application:

• Batta Environmental
• Chemours
• Christiana Care
• Corporation Service Company
• Delaware’s Congressional Delegation
• Governor John Carney
• Incyte Corporation
• New Castle County Executive Matthew Meyer
• Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware
• Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki   

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Related:

Delaware Will Compete for Amazon Headquarters 

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