12 THE QUEENS COURIER • NOVEMBER 15, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
in Queens
Amazon’s billions have Queens biz leaders, pols Fire-d up
BY NAEISHA ROSE
nrose@cnglocal.com
@QNS
Queens business gurus and elected
offi cials were split between sadness and
euphoria over news that Amazon would
build part of its second headquarters in
Long Island City.
“As the largest business association in
Queens representing more than 1,000
businesses and over 90,000 Queensbased
employees, the Queens Chamber
of Commerce is excited to work with
Amazon, partner organizations and our
elected offi cials as it adds HQ2 to Long
Island City,” said Th omas J. Grech, president
and CEO of the Queens Chamber
of Commerce. “With a well-developed
existing network of local partners that
can provide anything a thriving business
might need, Queens is a great place
to live, work and play. Th e Queens
Chamber of Commerce intends to help
the entire business community connect
to opportunities that will help Queens
thrive and prosper.”
Councilman Paul Vallone, chair of the
Committee on Economic Development,
was on board with the announcement.
“Amazon establishing a headquarters
in our own backyard in Queens is
a once-in-a-generation victory for all
New Yorkers,” Vallone said. “By bringing
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan speaks about the Amazon HQ2 deal on Nov. 14 as Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and other offi cials
look on
good-paying jobs with ladders for
advancement and creating partnerships
with our schools and local organizations,
life in our borough will improve
for thousands. Aft er a nationwide search
for its new headquarters, the entire city
should be proud that Amazon recognized
that there is no place with the
diversity and dynamism of Queens.”
“Long Island City – New York’s emerging
tech hub – is ‘primed’ for Amazon,”
said Queens Borough President Melinda
Katz. “Amazon is a timely fi t for the borough,
given the Tech Plan we commissioned
years ago funded by Governor
Cuomo to create the city’s leading tech
ecosystem, coupled with Mayor de
Blasio’s $180 million in new investments
for infrastructure improvements
unveiled several weeks ago for schools,
transportation and open space. With its
organic growth, wealth of local talent
and inherent global assets to foster innovation,
Queens off ers a dynamic mixeduse
community where workers can live,
ideas can synergize, and businesses can
fl ourish. New companies should take
note, however, that New York is a union
town. I have full faith that the city and
state will be able to resolve all outstanding
issues including organized labor,
infrastructure and capacity concerns.”
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan
remarked that Amazon HQ2 would
make Long Island City “the most successful
mixed-use neighborhood” in the
city.
“Talented residents new and longstanding,
skilled artists, artisans and
activists, inventors and idealists all call
LIC home,” Nolan said. “Th ey come
from all over the world, from New
York’s backyards and public housing,
because they know New York City has
the resources, the will and the drive for
all to succeed and have a good life for
themselves and their families. All are
believers in New York as a beacon of
excellence, equity and freedom. Long
Island City, Queens, is the neighborhood
of the fulfi llment of their dreams,
and this project can be another step in
that future. I look forward to working on
the success of this eff ort.”
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and
Photo via Flickr/Governor Andrew Cuomo’s offi ce
state Senator Michael Gianaris, however,
were opposed to the addition of
Amazon in Queens.
“Bypassing ULURP isn’t just about
trying to get around me; it’s a direct
assault on community engagement and
consultation on a project that would
change the face of Queens. It’s outrageous,
secretive and the height of corporate
Democrats tripping over themselves
to provide corporate welfare to the richest
man in the world without any community
review or votes,” said the elected
offi cials in a joint statement.
Earlier this year, New York state
announced that it would provide $1.7
billion in tax credits and grants for the
company to have its second headquarters
in Long Island City, according to
an agreement between the online giant
and the state.
“Amazon Cuomo has every right to
sell his individual naming rights but we
will challenge his ability to sell Queens
without review. I call on Mayor de Blasio
to reject the governor’s desire to bypass
ULURP, the local Community Board, the
borough president, City Planning and
yes, the local Council member and City
Council. Th e mayor must not be a party
to this undemocratic process,” Gianaris
and Van Bramer stated.
Th ey referred to the governor as
“Amazon Cuomo” based on Cuomo’s
remarks last week in which he said he
would change his fi rst name if needed to
lure the retail giant here.
Van Bramer will host a rally at the corner
of 44th Drive and Vernon Boulevard
on Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Gordan
Triangle in Long Island City with
Gianaris, Make the Road NY, ALIGN,
NYCC and RWDSU in opposition to over
$1 billion from the state going toward the
headquarters instead of school, transit
and housing funding.
Emily Davenport and Robert Pozarycki
contributed to this report.
WHAT’S
IN THE CART?
Amazon will provide at least 25,000 “full-time, high-paying
jobs” as part of a $2.5 billion investment
Up to 25,000 jobs could be created by 2029,
and up to 40,000 jobs could be created by 2034,
according to Governor Andrew Cuomo
The average salary for Amazon jobs at the LIC HQ2 will be
$150,000 a year
The retail giant will develop 4 million square feet of
“energy-efficient office space” in Long Island City, with the
opportunity to expand to 8 million square feet if needed
In return, Amazon will receive $1.525 billion in tax incentives and
credits from New York City and State, including up to $1.2 billion in
refundable credits through the state’s Excelsior Program
Amazon HQ2 is expected to generate $10 billion in tax revenue
over 20 years
Amazon and the city and state will establish a 10,000 square
foot onsite employment center to connect local residents
with jobs and training
The JobsPlus program will be expanded to the nearby
Queensbridge Houses through a $15 million investment
The agreement also includes funding for a new 600-seat
intermediate public school (grades 6-8); a new 3.5-acre
waterfront esplanade and park; and a Long Island City
infrastructure fund, which will invest in local transportation and
other neighborhood needs in collaboration with local residents.
Sources: Amazon.com and the Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo
link
