Stamford is one of two regions that the state”™s Department of Economic and Community Development will pitch to become Amazon”™s second North American headquarters.
Gov. Dannel Malloy made the news official late Friday. The other Connecticut region being officially submitted for consideration is Hartford.
“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,” 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. Should Connecticut be chosen, the entire state stands to benefit.”
Malloy”™s office said that the two areas emerged as the strongest contenders among the 17 Connecticut municipalities that submitted bids, especially in light of Amazon”™s stated criteria, which includes having a population of one million; offering a deep talent pool; having close proximity to international airports; and having easy access to mass transit, major highways, and arterial roads.
“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.”
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.
DECD is actively working with both communities to finalize the state”™s submittal, which is due on Oct. 19. Details of the state”™s submission will be released when the proposal is finalized, according to Malloy”™s office.
The $5 billion facility, which Amazon had dubbed HQ2, will eventually be staffed by 50,000 employees.
