Amazon may cancel its plans to build part of its second headquarters to Long Island City in the Queens borough of New York City, Vox reports.
Three things to know:
1. Two people familiar with Amazon's plans told The Washington Post Feb. 8 the company is reconsidering its decision amid growing local opposition to the deal, which has steadily increased since the company announced its plans to split its second headquarters between Long Island City and Crystal City, Va., last year.
"The question is whether it's worth it if the politicians in New York don't want the project, especially with how people in Virginia have been so welcoming," one source told The Washington Post.
2. Prominent New York politicians like Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have touted the deal as an opportunity to bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in tax revenue to the state. The city and state reportedly offered Amazon a total of $3 billion in tax breaks, Vox reports.
3. However, Amazon has reportedly hired a lobbying firm and a public relations firm to boost its reputation in New York, and is looking to hire a senior community affairs manager to improve community relations.
"We're focused on engaging with our new neighbors — small business owners, educators, and community leaders," an Amazon spokesperson told Vox in an emailed statement. "Whether it's building a pipeline of local jobs through workforce training or funding computer science classes for thousands of New York City students, we are working hard to demonstrate what kind of neighbor we will be."
To access the full report, click here.