With South Florida in the running to be the home of Amazon’s HQ2, on Monday, members of the Sunshine State’s congressional delegation went to bat for the region.
Noting that the bid from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties has made the final 20 out of almost 240 applicants, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., gathered more than a dozen members of Congress to sign a letter to Jeff Bezos, insisting that South Florida has many advantages for his company. Amazon’s HQ2 could lead to an additional $5 billion for the local economy of wherever it is located and as many as 50,000 news jobs.
Nelson, Wilson and the other signers pointed to South Florida’s colleges and universities, transportation system, climate and culture as potential draws for Amazon.
“South Florida is not only home to an existing high-skilled workforce that Amazon will need to fill most if not all of the positions it will offer, but is also a location that will attract the best and brightest from across the nation and indeed the globe,” Wilson said. “In addition, this business environment will be hard to beat. We offer the best of both worlds: an innovative and intellectually vibrant climate and a physical paradise!”
Other members of the South Florida delegation who also signed the letter also weighed in.
“South Florida is one of the fastest-growing areas for high-tech in the country,” said U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla. “The Tri-County region offers a talented workforce, great educational opportunities, and an unbeatable business environment. The entire region is thriving, and a top-rated company like Amazon would do very well here.”
“If Amazon is looking for a vibrant region with a highly-skilled workforce, a global transportation hub, and idyllic beaches and tropical climate year-round, then welcome to sunny South Florida!” said U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla.
“South Florida is one of the great international regions of the world. It has a highly diverse workforce, a variety of transportation options, and unparalleled year-round outdoor recreation,” said U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla.
“I’m proud to join my colleagues to champion our slice of paradise as the perfect home for both new businesses and those seeking to expand,” said U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. “From top notch educational institutions and rich cultural diversity to international market access and an economic climate that favors entrepreneurship, South Florida has it all. I urge Amazon’s leadership to give our wonderful community full consideration as it seeks a home for its new headquarters.”
“South Florida is clearly a prime location for Amazon’s new headquarters,” said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. “From our multilingual workforce to our sophisticated transportation network and an atmosphere of culture and recreation that is second to none, South Florida is the right place for Amazon to make its second home.”
