Gov. Malloy Announces Site Selection for Connecticut’s Amazon HQ2 Bid

Report by Paula Antolini
October 7, 2017 11:49AM EDT

 

 

Gov. Malloy Announces Site Selection for Connecticut’s Amazon HQ2 Bid

October 7, 2017

Connecticut will Propose Hartford and Stamford Regions as Potential Sites

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Catherine Smith today announced that the State of Connecticut has chosen two sites for its proposal to Amazon for the company’s second headquarters – the Hartford and Stamford regions. Last month, Amazon announced that it was seeking a site for a second headquarters – known as “Amazon HQ2” – in North America, which will create tens of thousands of additional jobs and bring billions in investment.

“With a highly skilled talent pool, great schools and world class universities, Connecticut offers a great quality of life and is an ideal location for Amazon’s second headquarters,” Governor Malloy said. “We believe that the Hartford and Stamford regions best fit the criteria set forth by the company and we know that both communities will give us a competitive advantage. We are grateful to all of the communities that have shown interest. Should Connecticut be chosen, the entire state stands to benefit.”

After an exhaustive review of 17 submissions, the Hartford and Stamford regions emerged as the state’s strongest contenders to become home to Amazon’s second North American headquarters. These two sites very closely match to the criteria set forth by the company and are poised to be very competitive nationally. In particular, both regions boast a population of one million; offer a deep talent pool; have close proximity to international airports; and have easy access to mass transit, major highways, and arterial roads.

“Amazon is a forward-thinking company that competes for top talent, embraces strategic, energy efficient development, and promotes civic and philanthropic engagement within the company and among its employees,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “Connecticut, already home to several Amazon facilities, is a very good match to achieve those goals – and more – in their second headquarters. I’m confident that Governor Malloy, Commissioner Smith and the DECD team, and the leaders in Stamford and Hartford will make a compelling case for the new project to come to Connecticut.”

“The Stamford and Hartford area proposals, while quite different, offer Amazon great opportunities for growth,” DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith said. “It is important to remember that a project of this magnitude will have far-reaching, positive impacts well beyond the project site. If one of these two sites is fortunate enough to be selected, the entire state will benefit. I am grateful for the outpouring of support and ideas we have received around this initiative.”

Amazon already has a significant presence in Connecticut with existing facilities in Wallingford and Windsor. This summer, the company announced plans to expand their presence in the state through the creation of a fulfillment center in North Haven, which will bring their Connecticut-based employees to approximately 3,800 workers.

While these two sites have been chosen for submission, the state will remain flexible and adaptive to Amazon’s needs. DECD is actively working with both communities to finalize the state’s submittal, which is due on October 19. Details of the state’s submission will be released when the proposal is finalized.

 

 

###