Amazon Decision Affects More Than Just NYC [POLL]

There were celebrations, then there were protests. And then — on Valentine's Day, no less — came the news that mega-online retailer Amazon was breaking up with New York City by pulling out of a deal to build a new headquarters in Long Island City.

The action came after NYC-area officials and activists made it known that they were opposed to a $3 billion incentive package the company was going to receive for the project.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was miffed, to say the least, that Amazon had changed its mind, after the city had competed in a nation-wide economic development competition that saw NYC and Arlington County, Virginia, chosen for the honor.

He said that bringing Amazon to the city would have diversified the economy away from real estate and Wall Street.

"However, a small group [of] politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community ... the state's economic future and the best interests of the people of this state," he said in a statement.

Cuomo said that poll after poll showed overwhelming support for having Amazon build a headquarters in New York.

State Sen. Michael Gianaris and City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who both represent Long Island City, were among the most vocal critics, along with liberal activist groups. They looked at the incentive package as a giveaway to a massive corporation with a record of mistreating workers.

The project was supposed to create at least 25,000 jobs and generate more than $27 billion in tax revenue.

The loss of the new headquarters was seen by county and local officials in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island as a major loss for them and their constituents as well.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said he was disappointed in the pull out.

"We had hoped to realize some benefit from people moving into the region, and finding their home in Westchester," he said. "In the decision's aftermath, we will speak with state officials to see what may yet come from Amazon's plans to relocate their headquarters within New York State or elsewhere."

Amazon has said that it does not have plans to reopen the search for a replacement for the Long Island City project, CNBC said.

The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation also decried the move to abandon New York.

Mike Oates, HVEDC's president and CEO, called the opposing politicians "shortsighted" for not understanding the value of incentives that were based on performance, including creating the agreed-upon number of jobs.

"This is like fumbling the football on the one-year line in the Super Bowl," he said.

Officials on Long Island were also dismayed by the decision.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen, who oversees a community 15 miles from LIC, said she was "horrified and appalled that a small faction of local officials sought to kill an effort that was certain to bring countless economic benefits to millions of New Yorkers.

Seeing the writing on the wall, Rockland County Executive Ed Day didn't waste much time making another pitch to Amazon.

The county, the Town of Rampo and the Village of Suffern had offered the former Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation manufacturing plant and campus as a possible site for Amazon's new headquarters.

"Unlike Long Island City, Rockland County is open for business," he said. "We are confident that we can offer all that is needed by Amazon; including airports in adjoining counties and a business-friendly environment."

Day said he would be happy to arrange executive-level meetings to go over any concerns the company might have.

"Don't let the unwelcoming and short-sighted actions of a few tarnish the great possibilities that exist elsewhere in New York," he said.

Now it's your turn to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.

Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images