Amazon Delivers a Downer for KC

Kansas City will not be the home of the second headquarters for Amazon.  Bested by the likes of Boston, Chicago, Denver and Columbus, Ohio, the City of Fountains was left off the list of the 20 finalist cities for Amazon’s expansion. Kansas City was one of 238 communities nationwide that responded to the company’s request for proposals issued in September.

Tim Cowden, the President and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council, said in a tweet, “We’re disappointed, but no reason to hang our heads.  Our region is better for the effort.  My initial reaction is @Amazon focus on population density in eastern U.S. and Texas.  We left it all out there.  No regrets.  Thanks 2 all who came together behind 1 KC region proposal.  Onward.”

 The KCADC also tweeted about the decision, writing  “With or without Amazon’s HQ2, our region is stronger than ever.  #KC came together in a way that will create more opportunities in 2018.  Thank you to the many that came together and put forth an amazing proposal.”

 The 20 finalist sites announced by Amazon this morning:

Toronto
Columbus
Indianapolis
Chicago
Denver
Nashville
Los Angeles
Dallas
Austin
Boston
New York
Newark
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Montgomery County, Pa.
Washington D.C.
Raleigh
Northern Virginia
Atlanta
Miami