The Pittsburgh Region’s Amazon HQ2 Proposal

Pittsburgh is proud of the innovative “Future. Forged. For All.” proposal we submitted to Amazon and how far we progressed in the site selection process.

The region, more than ever, is confident in our tremendous assets that would benefit any business looking to build or grow. In particular, our thriving innovation-supportive ecosystem is advantageous to technology-based companies, many of which already call this region home. For all of our businesses across a diversity of industry sectors, Pittsburgh is growing in a resilient and equitable way.

A link to the PGHQ2 proposal submitted in October 2017 can be found below. There were only two local investment packages offered and neither included using any existing city or county tax money/revenues. Rather, the proposal included a strategy to make sure if Pittsburgh invested in Amazon, Amazon would have invested in us, to the benefit of all residents.

One proposal was for a fund that would have paid for needed improvements to affordable housing, education, transportation and infrastructure. Working much like tax increment financing (TIF), new wage and property tax growth created by the Amazon headquarters would have been used to pay for a bond that funded those four priorities. The other package was a traditional TIF paying for infrastructure improvements at the chosen Amazon development site.

Both local incentive packages would have been subject to public debates, hearings and votes by the County, City and Public Schools, just as all TIFs are.

The Pittsburgh region offers incredible value through its world-class talent pool, high quality of life at a low cost, stable business environment, significant capacity to grow with a commitment to ensuring prosperity for all and an unparalleled spirit of collaboration. Our doors remain open to future Amazon investments as the company continues to grow, as well as to investments from other companies looking for a home.

As always, we stand ready to engage with domestic and international companies that have an interest in establishing or growing a business presence in southwestern Pennsylvania, and look forward to welcoming you to our community.

View PGHQ2’s proposal:

Amazon HQ2 Pittsburgh Proposal

Letters of Support

Appendices

01: Our Talent

Our people make the Pittsburgh region great.

Pittsburghers have never been afraid to roll up their sleeves, work hard - together - and confront challenges head on. Carnegie. Salk. Warhol. With world-class talent at our doorstep, we embrace the unknown, strive to find solutions, and disrupt entire industries. From steel to glass to energy; no matter what the industry, we will always be committed to a Pittsburgh region for all.

The Pittsburgh region is home to the first Carnegie Library in the United States. We believe that access to knowledge and creating outstanding early learning environments is critical to the long-term vibrancy of our city. We are determined to provide learning opportunities for Pittsburghers, from cradle to career.

02: Our Quality of Life

Our arts and culture will surprise you.

Pittsburgh has 90 distinct neighborhoods, almost 3000 acres of urban parks for exploring, dozens of critically acclaimed restaurants, championship winning sports teams, and a thriving arts community. Annual events such as the Pittsburgh Arts Festival, the Three Rivers Regatta, and Light Up Night draw over a million visitors to the city’s downtown each year. Just beyond the city, you can explore classic American main streets, an amazing network of parks, and world class whitewater rafting and beautiful hiking trails. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Zagat. Forbes. The New York Times. The Wall Street Journal. #1 Best Big City in the Northeast by Time Magazine. People are starting to notice what we have known for years. Pittsburgh is an amazing city to live, work, and explore.

03: Our Future

Pittsburgh is the epicenter of innovation.

Pittsburgh is the city that built America, and it is building the future. Our story is one of invention and reinvention: from steel to software, plate glass to robotics, and aluminum to autonomous technology. Guided by lessons from our past and a vision for the future, today our ideas are bigger and our communities are stronger than ever.

The City of Pittsburgh is spearheading a new model of urban growth and development that is innovative, inclusive and sustainable. The P4 initiative builds upon Pittsburgh’s global relationships with cities, innovators, universities, and globally renowned planners. Driven by our unwavering sense of innovation and collaboration, we will build a Future. Forged. For all.