Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America • Hacker News Board

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#371

Post by matrix » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:13 PM UTC

xxpor wrote: post #193

devmunchies wrote: post #108

Silicon Slopes? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Slopes - Population > 1,000,000 - Serviced by 2 great universities (UoU, BYU) - Utah is a top 5 state for # of Unicorn Companies From the wiki I shared: "The Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development allows a variety of grants and tax incentives to companies willing to either relocate or expand their enterprise" Note: I live in Seattle, not Utah.

Socially, Utah could not be more different than Seattle. SLC is one thing, but that's one small slice of a much bigger state. You'd be able to attract people who live there already, but there's 0 chance someone like me would be interested in living there. Note: I work for Amazon, but have no input at all in this process. This is the first I'm hearing about it.

True, to an extent. You are right in that that residents of SLC (plus similar areas like Park City and Ogden) are politically disenfranchised due the state being something of a theocracy.

However, SLC itself is actually pretty liberal and has a lot to offer. It's far from perfect (mainly: air quality issues in winter and the political issues), but anywhere you choose has a different set of compromises. Is it right for you? Probably not, but I promise it's a better place to live than it looks from the outside.

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#372

Post by euyyn » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:15 PM UTC

BatFastard wrote: post #211

euyyn wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, if you don't like the tax cuts your city government offers Amazon to try and get their headquarter, you can vote them out come the next election.

But as happened in Marietta Ga recently, the government officials had already committed the county to 600 million for a new stadium. They got voted out, but the county is still stuck with the bill.

Yeah not saying it's perfect. But it's better than those people staying in power, and with the AK-47s.

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#373

Post by sangnoir » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:16 PM UTC

XR0CSWV3h3kZWg wrote: post #342

choward wrote: post #327

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me it's the AK-47 for sure.

Have you been coerced to give someone money or property under the threat of violence?

I have. I'm guessing you haven't since you think it's a bigger deal than it is - or at least was for me. It's not scary; these guys have practiced this 'sales funnel' hundreds of times, it is in their interest for things to go smoothly. You'll be fine, unless you decide to be "difficult".

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#374

Post by notfromhere » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:17 PM UTC

BatFastard wrote: post #363

notfromhere wrote: post #359

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm hoping not, because I'm enjoying cheap rent in a metropolitan city (Chicago). I don't want to compete for rent with even more technies than already exist with, esp. when Amazon is going to pay above market wages.

Chicago would be another good candidate.

I think its one of the top ones, though i'm struggling to thikn of an area of the city that has 100 acres of greenfield to develop

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#375

Post by unethical_ban » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:18 PM UTC

fooey wrote: post #232

sremani wrote: post #219

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anybody who says People's Republic of Austin (ref: Bernie movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JREkqCvLzSo ) is not on progressive wing is kidding. Also, Whole Foods is head-quartered in Austin, so there could be "synergy" there.

Progressive islands in conservative states are almost worse They just get diced up and have no voice in state or federal government, and you end up with things like the NC and Texas bathroom bills. Why would a company like Amazon move to a state who's already so wrong on human rights issues? That's just asking for boycotts and mass resignations. I'd wager it's vastly more likely Whole Foods will move away than Amazon…

Human rights are things like voting, eating, drinking, and rule of law.

The bathroom bill is an embarrassment, it's discrimination, and it needs repealed. However, it's impact is not on the same level as those other things, or even on the same level as a broad denial of service ala "Whites Only" - in part because it's completely unenforceable.

Furthermore, even under your definition of human rights, what other rights are denied uniquely in the state?

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#376

Post by euyyn » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:18 PM UTC

unethical_ban wrote: post #335

euyyn wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, if you don't like the tax cuts your city government offers Amazon to try and get their headquarter, you can vote them out come the next election.

I'm not arguing for a ban, but here would be the argument: It's clearly unethical, undesirable behavior, but even if a particular municipality didn't like the game, it's tough not to play (much like taking corporate donations for political campaigns). So instead of trying to live the libertarian good life of "Our city is better than that" and losing because someone else has fewer scruples, it is proposed that the pra…

I guess I would disagree with the "it's clearly unethical, undesirable behavior" part. I just don't think it's clearly good nor clearly bad.

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#377

Post by devmpk » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:19 PM UTC

To me, this screams Philadelphia.

45 minutes to NYC, 2 hours to DC, two of the biggest talent pools in the country, in a city of 2 million that has been making significant steps forward in the last 10 years.

It is cheap, offers all the urban amenities one could desire, it's close to the beach, I would absolutely move back if I got a good job offer.

If Bezos is into politics, Philadelphia is in a purple state. He will have a massive influence there.

I used to live in Philadelphia, I really loved my time there. It is a hugely underrated city IMO, and probably the most urban feeling in the country behind NYC and Chicago.

Philly is as multicultural as you can get, try taking a walk in Center City and you'll see what I mean.

Comcast has made a home in the city, and I know that they have made an excellent deal with the city government considering the massive investments they are making in Center City.

I know there are other options, I really don't see anything more fitting that Philadelphia though besides maybe Denver or Twin Cities.

-Current DC resident dreaming of moving back to Philadelphia

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#378

Post by bnjms » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:20 PM UTC

mhb wrote: post #61

revmoo wrote: post #40

My city (Louisville) would be a prime candidate due to proximity to UPS WorldPort, and Amazon already has a bunch of facilities here. That said, screw these guys. I'll make sure to have my voice heard if my city tries to offer them tax rebates to come here. Everyone needs to pay taxes, especially gigantic corporations. I hate that companies like this even have the nerve to expect these sorts of breaks.

Everyone needs to pay taxes Why is this different than New Hampshire competing with other states by having no income tax?

The key here is that the incentives appear to be for a certain company and are not fairly applicable to all companies. Giving those with the best economy of scale yet another advantage. People are often against unfair advantage.

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#379

Post by eppsilon » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:29 PM UTC

thinkling wrote: post #320

baron816 wrote: post #143

You have to consider that this may be a political move by Bezos. The term "anti-trust" has been brought up a lot lately in regards to 'Big Tech.' If Amazon becomes a big employer in a lot of low population states, it would effectively be buying itself those states's Senators and creating an 'Amazon Industrial Complex.' On the other hand, Bezos might want to just move the margins and try to make a purple state blue. F…

Have you seen any evidence that Bezos is willing to trade the interests of his company for a beneficial impact on society? I haven't, and it doesn't seem in keeping with what I know about him. He's going to look for the best place for Amazon in the medium and long term. Of course personally I'd love it if they chose a swing state and added 50-100,000 progressive-leaning voters to its population...

He was willing to (personally) buy the Washington Post, but I agree that it doesn't mean politics will factor into his decisions at Amazon.

Re: Amazon to Build Second HQ in North America

#380

Post by jitix » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:29 PM UTC

nathanmuller wrote: post #68

I'd argue Research Triangle Park (RTP) is better choice than Austin. Instead of using one feeder school Amazon could pull from three excellent schools: Duke University, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For those that are unfamiliar RTP is a major tech center. Edit: Changed "RTP" to "Research Triangle Park" in initial comment.

That would be great! However a number of companies (like PayPal) cancelled their plans to move to the area last year because of the HB2 debacle. Not sure how Amazon feels about that. Good thing is that the situation seems to have normalized now with a democrat governor and some big companies (like HSBC) moving here this year.