Hey Amazon, New Hampshire Is the Perfect Place For HQ2: Officials

CONCORD, NH — Gov. Chris Sununu, R-NH, along with other officials, released the state’s request for proposal response to Amazon for the company’s second North American headquarters. The announcement – making the pitch that the town of Londonderry was the perfect site for HQ2 – was made after “a rigorous effort by state officials and business leaders” to grow the state’s workforce while also satisfying a lot of the criteria requested by Amazon for its new location – including a lack of a state income tax. Sununu was joined by BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell, Londonderry Town Manager Kevin Smith, and Londonderry Town Council Chairman Tom Dolan in making the announcement on Oct. 18, 2017.

“As part of the regional metro-Boston area, southern New Hampshire offers all the benefits typically associated with major metro areas yet maintains the advantages of being in a truly enterprise-friendly state: access to a world-class workforce, a pro-business, low-tax environment, and a streamlined regulatory environment,” he said in a statement. “By embracing a joint venture with the State of New Hampshire, Amazon stands to gain a partner that believes the customer comes first.” (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Londonderry NH Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. Like Londonderry NH Patch on Facebook)

Smith, a gubernatorial candidate himself, back in 2012, stated, “As we like to say in Londonderry, ‘Business is Good. Life is Better.’ Should Amazon decide to locate its second headquarters in Londonderry, (they) will discover as many others have, that our saying is not merely a slogan, it’s a way of life. We value the business community we have in town and we’ve worked hard to foster an atmosphere that welcomes development and encourages entrepreneurship.”

Caswell said the state’s response provided “detail on all the benefits that come with being a part of the vibrant New Hampshire business community.”

He added, “New Hampshire’s proposal to Amazon uses all the existing advantages that all employers already enjoy – no sales or income tax, a paid-for Interstate highway expansion and a dedicated exit, unmatched quality of life, and a site on that highway that is ready to go today. It’s all already here. We look forward to Amazon becoming part of that community.”

The state’s 78-page proposal can be found here in .pdf format.

Image via screenshot of state proposal.