The City of Chula Vista is throwing its hat in the ring of nationwide contenders looking to attract Amazon’s next multi-billion-dollar headquarters.
The Chula Vista City Council will consider on Tuesday a $400-million incentive package to lure Amazon “HQ2” to its city.
Headquartered in Seattle, Amazon has said it plans to invest $5 billion to build and operate a second headquarters and is asking cities to submit bids.
Last week, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to send a letter to Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos indicating a strong interest and willingness to explore possible incentives for the company if it builds its second headquarters in the region.
According to a City of Chula Vista statement, the city’s $400 million incentive package includes “a shovel-ready office location and the opportunity to co-create California’s next university.”
The Chula Vista site also “provides eight million square feet for the tech giant in a new headquarters located minutes from downtown San Diego, Lindbergh Field and the U.S.-Mexico border,” the statement continued.
“Chula Vista and the San Diego region offer an opportunity unlike anywhere in North America for Amazon to locate its next headquarters,” said Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas. “Chula Vista is the only place where Amazon can develop its headquarters, help establish a new university, and tap into our uniquely talented and trained binational workforce.”
The city’s bid is presented in a 48-page book titled “Welcome Home Amazon” found at www.chulavistaca.gov/amazon, which details workforce, sustainability, lifestyle and development offerings.
“We’re confident that the Chula Vista site, with these incentives, represents the best proposal being submitted to Amazon by the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation,” said Chula Vista City Manager Gary Halbert.
Amazon’s stated deadline for HQ2 construction is 2019.
–Staff