Bridgeport Meets Amazon's Criteria For New Headquarters, Says Ganim

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The eyes of officials widened ten-fold across the country when Amazon announced it would be accepting proposals from cities hoping to lure the e-commerce giant's second corporate headquarters. After the company released a series of criteria that cities must have in order to attract the new facility, Market Watch released an analysis of cities in America that check off Amazon's wish list.

Connecticut's largest city was named among those listed by Market Watch. The Park City also controls 15 percent of Market Watch's poll, asking readers which city Amazon should set up shop in, as of Monday afternoon. Only Austin, TX, controls more of the vote.

“We are keenly interested to attract a world-renowned company like Amazon to advance Fairfield County as a potential site for its second corporate headquarters," said Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau.

Last week, the tech giant announced plans to open HQ2, which it says would bring 50,000 jobs paying over $100,000 annually. It says HQ2 will be a "full equal" to its current home in Seattle, and the company plans to invest over $5 billion in the construction and operation of the new headquarters. (For more neighborhood and city news, subscribe to Bridgeport Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Read more:

• Connecticut Is Trying To Win Amazon's New Headquarters
  
• Amazon To Hamden? Mayor Leng Makes The Pitch
  
• Amazon Seeks 'Business-Friendly' City For Its Second Headquarters

Amazon officials seek a new home with more than one million residents, a business-friendly environment, urban and suburban locations, a close proximity to an international airport, have direct access to mass transit, and be able to expand the headquarters to as much as 8-million square feet in the next decade.

"The City of Bridgeport and Fairfield are excited about Amazon's announcement and Bridgeport's noted optimum position," read a statement from city spokeswoman Rowena White. "Both Ganim and Tetreau look forward to pursuing this opportunity to be a future reality that will bring jobs and strengthen economic growth for the region."

The addition of Amazon's HQ2 in Fairfield County would be a welcomed addition for a state in fiscal crisis and one that has lost two of its largest private sector employers in as many years. General Electric elected to jump ship to Boston, leaving its Fairfield home of 42 years.

Additionally, insurance giant Aetna announced plans to move to New York City from Hartford, while still maintaining some operations in the state's capitol. Aetna had been in Hartford since 1853.

Shortly after Amazon began accepting proposals from city officials nationwide, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Gov. Dannel Malloy discussed plans to pitch the state and Hartford as a possible landing spot for the mammoth facility.

Additionally, the greater New Haven area was discussed as a possible landing spot. Joe McGee, a vice president for public policy and programs at the Business Council of Fairfield County told the Hartford Courant that Fairfield and New Haven could also make a strong case, touting its connections to New York City and other shoreline towns.

Hamden has also thrown its name into the ring. Mayor Curt Leng said the corporate giant should consider bringing its headquarters to Hamden, and said the town is already exploring a "couple of potential parcels."

Amazon directed those interested in submitting pitches to their website, and pitches are due on Oct. 19.

“We believe that the City of Bridgeport and Fairfield County have the attributes and meet the criteria that Amazon is looking for," said Mayor Joe Ganim in a prepared statement.

Image: David Ryder/ Getty Images News/ Getty Images