Amazon will split HQ2 between two cities, source tells WSJ

Amazon will split its new headquarters, dubbed HQ2, between two cities, a source tells the Wall Street Journal.
The new report follows a pair of weekend updates naming Crystal City, Va., and other cities as front runners in the tightening race for Amazon’s second headquarters. It’s been more than a year since the company issued a call for proposals.
Amazon originally said it would invest $5 billion and employ 50,000 workers in the winning area. It whittled down an initial list of 238 cities and metropolitan regions, naming 20 finalists in January. The selection process has seen an increasing number of leaks in recent weeks, as Amazon nears a decision.
CNBC’s Brian Sullivan earlier reported Amazon could split the proposed workforce and investments between Austin and Northern Virginia.
@SullyCNBC: The call & other meetings have discussed educational aspects to ensure Amazon has the workforce it needs. Sources believe decision is “close” & likely comes down to NoVa or Austin (or a split bw the two)
Sullivan also tweeted on Monday that “Folks I’m speaking with believe a split between two cities may be increasingly likely.”
Amazon’s current headquarters in Seattle has ballooned to a massive footprint, causing congestion and raising housing costs. Local officials and residents of many of the finalist cities have raised concerns that similar problems would follow wherever Amazon moves next.
The decision to split its headquarters into two was made in part as a result of those concerns, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing an unnamed source. Amazon has yet to choose the two cities, the newspaper says.
Amazon declined to comment.
Read the full report at the Wall Street Journal.

Read More