PRINTER'S NO. 1273
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
225
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY STREET, OCTOBER 18, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 18, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Encouraging Amazon to choose a location in Pennsylvania as the
future home of HQ2.
WHEREAS, On September 7, 2017, Amazon announced that it is
seeking to open a second company headquarters in North America
(Amazon HQ2) and will conduct a comprehensive search to decide
on the location; and
WHEREAS, The HQ2 campus will require up to 8 million square
feet of new space, may cost more than $5 billion to build and
will employ up to 50,000 new full-time employees in the years
following commencement of operations; and
WHEREAS, Amazon issued a request for proposals for HQ2
highlighting specific requirements for an ideal site, including
a metropolitan area of at least 1 million people, greenfield or
infill space available to meet Amazon's space needs in multiple
phases, access to mass transit on site, close proximity to a
major international airport and a location able to attract and
retain strong technical talent; and
WHEREAS, The major cities of Pennsylvania have commercial and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
noncommercial real estate that is as affordable, if not more so,
than other cities in the United States, comparable in size and
density and its cost of living is below the national average;
and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's major cities have growing millennial
populations with both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh ranking as
some of the fastest cities for millennial growth of any of the
nation's 10 largest cities; and
WHEREAS, With 164 four-year colleges out of 388 colleges,
community colleges and trade schools, Pennsylvania offers a
diverse pool of highly-skilled, experienced experts and young
professionals; and
WHEREAS, The University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon
University, Lehigh University, Villanova University, The
Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh,
Drexel University, Temple University and Duquesne University are
all ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Report; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is an international gateway, perfectly
situated for business operations along the northeast corridor
and with close proximity to major cities such as Washington, DC,
and New York; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a booming, diverse and highly
engaged startup ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, The major cities of Pennsylvania have strong public
transit systems utilized by a wide variety of people; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has major international airports
located in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, the Lehigh
Valley and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton that connect its population to
all corners of the nation and world as well as a turnpike system
and convenient highway system to allow free and easy travel; and
20170SR0225PN1273 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
WHEREAS, Amazon is interested in investing in an area that is
ripe for development, but also has existing buildings of at
least 500,000 square feet or a green site of approximately 100
acres; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a wide selection of parcels, both
greenfield and infill, that would meet the criteria established
by Amazon; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's major cities have a wide array of
historical attractions, with some playing a pivotal role in the
formation of American democracy, that have received national
recognition for their diversity, affordability and quality of
life with must-see amenities, including the art scene,
restaurants, walkability, bike-friendly streets, outdoor
recreation and public green spaces; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's cities have a longstanding commitment
to issues of sustainability and the environment; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's major cities are known for their rich
history, vibrancy, affordability, job opportunities, diversity,
culture and nightlife; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's major cities would make a perfect
destination for Amazon's HQ2; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has everything that Amazon might need
to sustain and expand its growth and success; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Senate and the House of
Representatives, working alongside the administration of
Governor Tom Wolf, have shown their support and leadership in
encouraging business growth across this Commonwealth and would
work to support any large corporation, like Amazon, to locate
within Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania stands ready to support and display all
20170SR0225PN1273 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
that this Commonwealth has to offer to Amazon and looks forward
to the possibilities that a long and prosperous relationship
between Pennsylvania and Amazon can offer; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
urge Amazon to choose one of Pennsylvania's major cities as the
future home of HQ2 and stand ready to work with Amazon to ensure
success for both their business and the people of Pennsylvania;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Jeff
Bezos, Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of Amazon as a
sincere representation of the sentiments of the Senate.
20170SR0225PN1273 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11