Meuser to Amazon’s Bezos: Bring HQ2 to PA-9
Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-9) haswritten Jeffrey Bezos, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amazon, Inc., to encourage him to locate the company's HQ2 headquarters in Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District. Meuser's letter comes in the wake of the company's decision to cancel plans to locate the headquarters in New York City.
"Our communities offer a strategic and ideal location for the world's fastest growing company," Meuser wrote. "A two-hour drive from New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District – comprised of all or parts of Schuylkill, Northumberland, Montour, Luzerne, Lebanon, Columbia, Carbon and Berks Counties – is situated along the U.S.'s eastern seaboard, part of a region that includes more than 50 million people and generates a fifth of America's gross domestic product. There is literally 60 percent of North America's population within a ten hour drive."
"Most importantly, we are home to a skilled and motivated workforce, and responsible, pro-job governance – all of which fit Amazon's stated parameters for its new facility," Meuser continued. "The backbone of Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District is an educated, hard-working, and world-class workforce. Our residents take pride in their work and are committed to doing a job well. Amazon would be fortunate to include more of our residents among its ranks."
"Simply stated, if Amazon were to invest and create jobs in Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District, it would be creating a renaissance of new opportunities for a former coal-rich area that needs a great American business, like Amazon, to give thousands of families and job seekers the chance at the American/Amazon dream!" said Meuser.
"I appreciate your consideration of this request, and welcome the opportunity to coordinate a walk-through of our communities with local and state officials," Meuser concluded.
The full text of Meuser's letter to Bezos is below, and a signed PDF can be found here.
February 22, 2019
Jeffrey Bezos
Chairman, President & CEO, Amazon.com, Inc.
1200 12th Ave South, Suite 1200
Seattle, WA 98144
Dear Mr. Bezos:
I write regarding the recent decision by Amazon to withdraw a proposed plan to create 25,000 new jobs and build a $2.5 billion headquarters in New York City. In particular, I write to request your strong consideration of locating this facility in Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District.
Our communities offer a strategic and ideal location for the world's fastest growing company. A two-hour drive from New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District – comprised of all or parts of Schuylkill, Northumberland, Montour, Luzerne, Lebanon, Columbia, Carbon and Berks Counties – is situated along the U.S.'s eastern seaboard, part of a region that includes more than 50 million people and generates a fifth of America's gross domestic product. There is literally 60 percent of North America's population within a ten hour drive.
Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District is the geographic keystone of highway and rail transportation connecting New England and New York with the continental United States. Linked to other major population centers by several major highways, including I-81, I-78, I-80 and I-476, and major freight rail lines, we offer immediate and cost-effective advantages for a global distribution company seeking efficient and affordable access to critical transportation networks. Amazon already knows of the logistical advantages of the 9th (Hazel Township – fulfillment and warehousing center) as you maintain a distribution center within the District.
Most importantly, we are home to a skilled and motivated workforce, and responsible, pro-job governance – all of which fit Amazon's stated parameters for its new facility. The backbone of Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District is an educated, hard-working, and world-class workforce. Our residents take pride in their work and are committed to doing a job well. Amazon would be fortunate to include more of our residents among its ranks.
Pennsylvania maintains a climate conducive for job creation, and this area offers Amazon an affordable and common-sense environment to do business. Thanks to low energy costs, minimal red-tape, effective community revitalization efforts and forward-thinking community leaders, our area would welcome the presence of a new, responsible employer committed to strengthening local economies.
Finally, I can attest to the strength of Eastern-Central Pennsylvania from my own personal experience. Not only did I choose to raise my family and help build an international manufacturing business in and around these very communities, but as Pennsylvania's Secretary of Revenue, I worked to help create the right opportunity with performance based tax credits for Shell Energy to invest in an ethylene cracker plant in Pennsylvania. This was, and is, the largest private investment made in Pennsylvania, and it is currently under construction in western Pennsylvania.
Any similar effort to bring this expanded Amazon facility to Pennsylvania will largely be under the jurisdiction of the Governor's office, and I stand ready to work hand-in-hand with the Governor, and our local, state, and federal officials, to make this a reality.
Simply stated, if Amazon were to invest and create jobs in Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District, it would be creating a renaissance of new opportunities for a former coal-rich area that needs a great American business, like Amazon, to give thousands of families and job seekers the chance at the American/Amazon dream!
I appreciate your consideration of this request, and welcome the opportunity to coordinate a walk-through of our communities with local and state officials.
Sincerely,
DAN MEUSER
Member of Congress
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