New campus represents the largest economic development project in New York State history
Amazon will create 25,000 to 40,000 new jobs and invest more than $3.6 billion over 15 years
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Amazon, the world leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, will establish a new corporate headquarters in Long Island City, Queens. The decision followed a comprehensive, year-long selection process during which 238 cities across North America competed for the multibillion-dollar project.
In 2019, Amazon will occupy up to 500,000 square feet at One Court Square while working to construct four million square feet of commercial space on Long Island City’s waterfront over the next 10 years, with expansion opportunities for up to 8 million square feet over the next 15 years. Through a $3.6 billion total investment, Amazon will draw from the diverse and talented workforce in New York State to fill at least 25,000 new jobs by 2029 and up to 40,000 jobs by 2034 with an average salary of $150,000. The construction is expected to create an average of 1300 direct construction jobs annually through 2033. Overall, the project is estimated to create more than 107,000 total direct and indirect jobs and over $14 billion in new tax revenue for the State and a net of $13.5 billion in City tax revenue. The project provides a 9:1 return on investment.
“This is a giant step on our path to building an economy in New York City that leaves no one behind. We are thrilled that Amazon has selected New York City for its new headquarters,” said Mayor de Blasio. “New Yorkers will get tens of thousands of new, good-paying jobs, and Amazon will get the best talent in the world. We’re going to use this opportunity to open up good careers in tech to thousands of people looking for their foothold in the new economy, including those in City colleges and public housing. The City and State are working closely together to make sure Amazon’s expansion is planned smartly, and to ensure this fast growing neighborhood has the transportation, schools and infrastructure it needs.”
“When I took office, I said we would build a new New York State – one that is fiscally responsible and fosters a business climate that is attractive to growing companies and the industries of tomorrow. We’ve delivered on those promises and more, and today, with Amazon committing to expand its headquarters in Long Island City, New York can proudly say that we have attracted one of the largest, most competitive economic development investments in U.S. history,” Governor Cuomo said. “With an average salary of $150,000 per year for 25,000 new jobs Amazon is creating in Queens, economic opportunity and investment will flourish for the entire region. Amazon understands that New York has everything the company needs to continue its growth. The State’s more than $100 billion infrastructure program – the most ambitious in our history – combined with our education initiatives like K-12 tech education and the first-in-the-nation Excelsior Scholarship program, will help ensure long-term success and an unrivaled talent pool for Amazon.”
Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the State, City and Amazon here.
Last year, Amazon released a Request for Proposals to select one or more locations for additional headquarters operations in North America, leading to an unprecedented competition among more than 230 metropolitan areas. The joint New York City-New York State proposal focused on New York’s unparalleled talent and the capacity of its academic institutions, public schools and workforce training programs to fill the jobs Amazon will create at the pace the company’s rapid growth demands. New York State and New York City economic development officials collaborated to submit a robust response and have worked closely with Amazon over the past year on the winning proposal.
According to an economic impact study by REMI, Inc., a world leader in dynamic forecasting and policy analysis, the Amazon project will generate over $186 billion in Gross State Product for the New York State economy over the initial 25 years. REMI also projects over $14 billion in total new tax revenue for the State, with annual revenues growing from $10.8 million in 2019 to nearly $1 billion in 2043. The City forecasts a net of $13.5 billion in total new tax revenue.
"This is a huge win for New York" said Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen. "Amazon locating here demonstrates that New York City is now a global center for innovation and technology, drawn here by the amazing diversity of our workforce, our neighborhoods and our economy. Amazon's $3.6 billion investment, as well as the investments it will make in job training, open space, education and infrastructure, will establish Long Island City as one of the region's most vibrant commercial districts."
"New York City is proud to be the new home of Amazon's second headquarters. We feel the same today as we did on day one of the company's national search: there is no city in North America better equipped for HQ2 than New York," said NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett. "We have the best, brightest, and most diverse workforce, and are home to virtually every industry. From our leading academic intuitions to our celebrated diversity, which defines our rich history as a cultural melting pot, New York is unmatched in all we have to offer. We look forward to continuing working with our State partners, local elected officials and members of the community on ensuring Amazon's arrival in New York City will benefit everyone."
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “This is an enormous win for New York. Having supported all the cities in the state that submitted proposals, we are extremely proud to have brought the largest deal in ESD history to New York State. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is a tribute to our world-class colleges and universities across the state, and most importantly it’s a testament to our extraordinarily talented and diverse workforce. New York is a leader in so many disciplines and industries that align with Amazon’s business – including digital media, film production, merchandising, fashion, advertising, ag and food processing, fintech and many more. With a shared history of innovation, New York and Amazon will grow faster and smarter, together.”
The City-State agreement with Amazon includes commitments to build a jointly-funded 10,000 square-foot onsite employment center to connect local residents with jobs and training. A $15 million investment will expand the JobsPlus program to Queensbridge Houses and expand tuition-free tech training to its residents—serving nearly 1,800 residents over the next 10 years.
The agreement also secures a new approximately 600-seat intermediate public school, a 3.5-acre waterfront esplanade and park, and the establishment of a Long Island City Infrastructure Fund to invest 50 percent of the project’s PILOT proceeds to deliver on transportation and other neighborhood priorities that will be identified in collaboration with the local community.
To bring this transformational, multibillion-dollar project to New York, the State offered a package of performance-based incentives totaling $1.705 billion. The package includes a $1.2 billion in tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program, which is directly tied to Amazon's commitment to create 25,000 new jobs and no less than $2.3 billion investment over ten years as well as a $505 million capital grant that is directly tied to Amazon's commitment to invest $3.6 billion and create up to 40,000 new jobs over 15 years.
Additionally, the company, State and City are committing $15 million – $5 million each – to create new workforce development programs focused on technology training and recruitment specific to New York City and targeted toward underrepresented segments of the workforce. Programs supported by this initiative may include community-based accelerated technology training programs, internships, and work-based learning opportunities for high school students.
Under pre-existing as-of-right programs authorized by law, Amazon is eligible for a partial property tax abatement through ICAP and an annual credit of $3,000 for twelve years per eligible employee under REAP, a program available to all companies to encourage job growth outside of Manhattan. REAP benefits for Amazon’s 10-year expansion are projected at $897 million through 2038, and ICAP will abate approximately $386 million.
“The number one thing we can do for New Yorkers at every rung of the economic ladder is create jobs, and the number one way to do that is to bring companies like Amazon to New York,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. “So, this a great opportunity to help New Yorkers at every income level, but we must make sure there are commensurate infrastructure and housing improvements to the neighborhoods to which Amazon is moving, and make sure community residents are hired when Amazon lands. I commend New York City and State for working together to get this positive result, and I look forward to working with Mayor de Blasio, Governor Cuomo and Amazon to tackle these challenges.”
