Why Amazon’s HQ2 Should Choose Pittsburgh

Amazon is hosting a bidding contest amongst the nation’s most desirable cities for their second headquarters. The search for Amazon’s HQ2 had reached Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and 19 other cities on the top 20 short-list. The possibility of locating Amazon’s HQ2 to the Steel City is anticipated as an obvious choice to most, including Shark Tank entrepreneur Mark Cuban. Pittsburgh’s bid to the massive tech company is currently a secret, but two of Amazon’s c-suite executives have deep connections to the city already to be an influence in the decision process.

A potential site for Amazon’s HQ2 is the former J&L Steel mill that is now known as Hazelwood Green. The site has 178-acres of land and is a 15 minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh. The potential location for Amazon’s HQ2 is also down the hill from Carnegie Mellon University, a very pristine neighbor that is filled with talent.

Although Pittsburgh lacks quality transportation, the city makes it up through their technology innovation. The growing tech-hub is currently home to Heinz, PPG Industries and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Amazon may be the next business to call Pittsburgh their home, along with other respected businesses.

The city’s tech sector from 2011 to 2016 have grown by 24% due to the prestigious universities of Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh. They have been casted as the center of technology research from their specialization in machine learning, robotics, and more. So besides Amazon, other tech companies have taken interest upon Pittsburgh’s talents. Companies like Apple, Facebook, Google and Uber have already taken action to preserve Pittsburgh’s talent from Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh. “Companies have kind of discovered Pittsburgh is a great place to do business, and that’s why Google is here, and Intel is here and the Uber driverless car is here,” Allegheny County’s executive in Pittsburgh named Rich Fitzgerald said. “In fact, not only are young people staying, but there’s more young people coming to Pittsburgh,” he said.

Primanti Bros is a local restaurant in Pittsburgh that is offering free sandwiches to every employee working at Amazon HQ2. The total would be $350,000 worth of free sandwiches to employees, an offer that appeals to everyone involved in the Amazon move. 

Small businesses and agencies within Pittsburgh are able share their professional insight to Amazon now. This is why Amazon HQ2 Should Choose Pittsburgh: 

How will Amazon HQ2 affect the economy of the city?

“I think the effect on Pittsburgh would be a mix of positive and negative depending on multiple factors.  This will bring and create thousands of new jobs both at Amazon and outside of Amazon, but I think that it will have a significant effect on the affordability of Pittsburgh.  The house market is already highly competitive, so I anticipate an increase in home prices which will cause a domino effect for the increases of prices in all other industries.  If Amazon offers California sized salaries at their jobs and other local businesses follow suit, this is okay, but if the average household incomes remain relatively flat…we’ll see some struggles.  HQ2 is a great opportunity for the aggressive and could (years down the road) end up causing some hardship for others. It all depends on if income levels keep up with cost levels”. -Jeff Swartz of Ethic Advertising.

Amazon is searching for talent in software development and related fields. What is your city’s tech scene like?

“Technology is one of the major industries Pittsburgh is becoming known for.  We’ve had one of the best tech universities for decades in Carnegie Mellon, but companies like Uber, Google, and other local companies have really taken our industrial/steel city roots into the future of machine and computer development”. -Jeff Swartz of Ethic Advertising.

How will the community welcome Amazon HQ2?

“Pittsburgh is a very proud city.  We’ll make the HQ2 our own icon symbol to rally behind.  The one thing Pittsburghers might complain about is the increase in traffic”. -Jeff Swartz of Ethic Advertising.

Do you support the major’s proposal? Why, or why not?

“I don’t know what is in it.  The city won’t release it which makes me nervous about what they are offering”. -Jeff Swartz of Ethic Advertising.

Image From Pittsburgh Courier

Besides financial incentives, what does your city offer?

“I don’t know.  I’d like to know”. -Jeff Swartz of Ethic Advertising.

What is in your city that isn’t found anywhere else?

“Pittsburgh’s a beautiful city with a rich history and culture.  What makes it different is the unique blend of midwest and east coast culture.  We are hospitable and neighborly, but won’t stand for B.S.. A blue collar work ethic runs deep even though we are a forward thinking city”. -Jeff Swartz of Ethic Advertising.

If you are an agency from Pittsburgh, and wish to contribute, please fill out this form here: https://ownersmag.com/need-talk-marketing-pr-agencies-amazon/

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