As cities across North America prepare to act on the request for proposal from Amazon, and prove why they are best suited to play host to a second headquarters for the tech giant, they’re likely soliciting help from all corners. And in some cases, that might mean other cities taking part in HQ2apolooza.
Pittsburgh has shown up on a number of lists as a viable contender for Amazon’s second home, and a story Thursday on TribLive.com said the city will prepare a “very robust” proposal — with a little help by way of one of Boston’s biggest business movers and shakers.
The board of directors for the Steel City’s Urban Redevelopment Authority voted unanimously to hire The Boston Consulting Group Inc. to help prepare its pitch to Amazon, the Tribune-Review reported. The maximum amount Boston Consulting would be paid is $248,000, with the URA picking up $50,000 and the city, Allegheny County and foundation grants taking care of the rest.
On it. https://t.co/fXioaSWmNP: : Amazon HQ2 https://t.co/EHzjbd3T5Q
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) September 7, 2017
@billpeduto I like the look of this. pic.twitter.com/4VYj0shmWr
— PGH J̶o̶e̶y̶ ̶̶̶̶ (@thejoeywarren) September 7, 2017
Boston itself is also in the mix — no word on whether Boston Consulting is helping its hometown bid. Reports earlier this week even said execs at Amazon were pushing for Beantown, before Amazon’s official news feed on Twitter shot down those reports and kept the competition alive by saying there are no frontrunners.
While Boston tops a lists of U.S. cities with the best chance (it trails Toronto and Ottawa) according to a data analysis by GeekWire contributor Tim Ellis, Mayor Marty Walsh told The Boston Globe “we are not going to get into a bidding war with another city over something like this.”
Meanwhile, much like they did last Thursday when the surprising news broke that Amazon was creating such a sweepstakes of sorts, elected officials and business leaders are still tweeting their ongoing enthusiasm.
Shouldn’t they be busy working on their PowerPoints?! They’re due Oct. 19!
They’re holding meetings in Kansas City!
Amazon HQ2? Don't count #KansasCity out. KC regional proposal underway. pic.twitter.com/mWaYqwdqO7
— Jim Erickson (@JimEricksonKC) September 14, 2017
… writing letters from West Virginia!
My letter to @JeffBezos encouraging @amazon to bring #AmazonHQ2 to West Virginia. pic.twitter.com/s2fanAxWL3
— Moore Capito (@MooreCapitoWV) September 14, 2017
… designing fancy graphics in Tysons, Virginia!
Amazon HQ2 Fun In Tysons https://t.co/WYUiHzgngo pic.twitter.com/Ed1OcAVTzR
— inTysons (@inTysons) September 13, 2017
… making phone calls on speaker in New Jersey!
Hosting a conference call on the importance of drawing employment opportunities to NJ, such as Amazon's HQ2. We must strengthen NJ's economy pic.twitter.com/XIOocCFjkw
— Phil Murphy (@PhilMurphyNJ) September 11, 2017
… putting imaginary Spheres on the waterfront in Baltimore!
Dear Amazon, Baltimore has plenty of great waterfront property for #AmazonHQ2 Come see for yourself! pic.twitter.com/j8ULG0y6DO
— Elevated Element (@ElevatedElement) September 13, 2017
… writing more letters in Albuquerque!
Hey @JeffBezos I welcome you to explore #ABQ for @amazon second headquarters! pic.twitter.com/6ivyBgiUPw
— Mayor Richard Berry (@Mayor_Berry) September 11, 2017
… recording fun videos with Alexa in Washington, D.C.!
Hey Alexa – what's the best location for @Amazon's second headquarters?
Obviously, Washington, DC. #ObviouslyDC pic.twitter.com/VRJthcsPt5
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) September 14, 2017
… and pulling a giant cactus out of the ground for Jeff Bezos in Tucson!
Tucson sends a 21-foot-tall cactus to @JeffBezos with a message: @amazon can grow in Arizona https://t.co/p3slk2EI85 pic.twitter.com/bEnutvhHJz
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 14, 2017
