NEW YORK (AP) — Virginia officials and some state lawmakers were recently briefed by the head of the state’s economic development office that Amazon was considering splitting up its second headquarters but had not made a decision, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Officials in Virginia believe there’s a strong likelihood Amazon will pick Crystal City in northern Virginia as one of its sites, but the company has not said anything definitive, according to the person, who was not authorized to speak on the record.
“They’re a real secretive company,” the person said.
Some reports have Dallas among the potential finalists.
National Public Radio reported on Tuesday that the company will split the headquarters with the Virginia location among the winners.
Just in: Amazon's second headquarters will be split between two locations, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions. The plan would bring up to 50,000 jobs, split between the two cities.
Crystal City, Va., is expected to pick up one half of the deal.
— NPR (@NPR) November 6, 2018
After a yearlong search for a second home, Amazon is now reportedly looking to build offices in two cities instead of one, a surprise move that could still have a major impact on the sites it ultimately selects. The online retail giant is also considering a site in New York’s Long Island City neighborhood.
According to the source, who was not authorized to discuss the negotiations and therefore spoke on condition of anonymity, says the online retail giant is considering a site in New York’s Long Island City neighborhood, just across the East River from Manhattan. The source said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo met two weeks ago with Amazon officials in his New York City offices. Cuomo offered to travel to Amazon’s Seattle hometown to continue talks, the source said.
On Monday, The New York Times, citing unnamed people familiar with the decision-making process, said the company is nearing deals to locate in New York’s Long Island City neighborhood, as well as the Crystal City section of Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. The Wall Street Journal, which also reported the plan to split the headquarters between two cities, said Dallas is still a possibility as well.
Amazon has declined to comment.
Online leader Amazon Inc. has refused comment on reports that it plans to split its new headquarters between two locations.
A company spokesman said Tuesday that Amazon would not comment on “rumors and speculation.” An update from the company is expected soon.
The Wall Street Journal said the main reason for having the two facilities is to recruit enough tech workers. It also would relieve demand on housing, transportation and other issues.
The newspaper cited a person familiar with the matter.
It said the online retailer apparently plans to have 25,000 employees in both cities.
