Amazon Makes HQ2 Decision, Snubs Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pittsburgh got as far as a finalist city for Amazon’s second headquarters but no further. After a year-long competition from hundreds of cities across the country, Amazon will split its HQ2 between New York City and Northern Virginia.

Amazon make the announcement on Tuesday.

Amazon had pledged that its new headquarters would create as many as 50,000 jobs, but by splitting up the locations it appears that would mean about 25,000 jobs for each location - far fewer than the 42,000 the e-commerce giant employes at its Seattle headquarters.

What does the decision mean for Pittsburgh, other than disappointment? Perhaps, finally, the release of the region’s bid for HQ2.

Allegheny County Judge Terrence O’Brien last month ordered Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to release the 300-page proposal. O’Brien rejected the city and county argument that publicly disclosing the proposal would sabotage southwestern Pennsylvania’s ability to compete with other regions for the headquarters.

The two governments indicated they would appeal the decision to Commonwealth Court, although with Amazon finally making its decision a further court fight would appear to be unnecessary.

Photo via Amazon.

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