RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Minutes after Gov. Roy Cooper declared that North Carolina remains a contender for the Amazon HQ2 project, Congressman David Price told WRAL TechWire that he now believes winning it is “a serious possibility.”
State Senator Floyd McKissick, who represents much of the Triangle region where an Amazon campus could be located, added to the positive buzz, saying he had heard “no negatives” about North Carolina’s chances.
In these days of no official disclosures about the Amazon project and lots of rumors, the three politicos went out of their way to discourage any notion that the Triangle was an also-ran against 19 other markets. Studies and surveys have given the region a mixture of high and low marks compared to generally acknowledged site leaders as Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Boston. Yet the trio remains sold on NC’s chances.
Congressman David Price
The governor and Price, who represents the 4th Congressional District which includes parts of the Triangle and is one of the more powerful Democrats in Congress, spoke enthusiastically to WRAL TechWire about the wooing of Amazon. They talked after earlier saluting biotech giant Biogen for bringing another 150 workers to its 1,450 member workforce in the southern part ofthePark.
“It has become clear to me that this is a serious possibility,” said Price, who also noted that he had been asked to prepare part of North Carolina’s original response to Amazon for proposals to land the $5 billion project.
Although Price conceded that he is “not privy” to the ongoing talks with Amazon, he pointed out that the Triangle is “on the shortlist” and that “people involved” have indicated to him the “sense of possibility.”
Price also promised to “keep the funding flowing” for projects such as mass transit and expansion of Raleigh-Durham International Airport that he says are important to Amazon.
Cooper, the N.C. Department of Commerce, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina are spearheading the state’s negotiations with Amazon. All involved remain tight lipped with a non-disclosure agreement in place. Given that any Amazon package is likely to require tax incentives, the importance of the politicians at local, state and federal levels is most likely very crucial.
“No negatives”
So how goes the bidding?
In an interview following the Biogen event, Cooper talked quite positively about Amazon.
Cooper told WRAL TV and WRAL TechWire that North Carolina is “still on the radar.”
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He acknowledged that he couldn’t “comment on the specifics of the recruiting process” but stressed that the state offers what Amazon seeks, from quality of life to workforce and education.
“Any company,” he added, would be “foolish” to overlook what North Carolina offers.
Noting Amazon’s stated interest in flight possibilities, Price stressed that in his position as the ranking Democrat on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee he is committed to making sure that RDU will get a planned third runway. WRAL TechWire reported last week that RDU already meets Amazon’s stated initial requirements for air travel and is working to add more.
Price also said that he would “keep the pipeline open” for mass-transit funding, another stated Amazon priority.
Further, he will push for a “mix of housing” to meet Amazon’s needs as well as the region at large.
McKissick, who also attended the Biogen event, says his information is that the Triangle remains in contention. While having not talked to Amazon directly, McKissick said “We can compete with anyone.” He added: “I have heard no negatives.”
What about Apple?
Whether North Carolina is even talking with Apple about its previously announced plans to build a new campus and hire 20,000 additional workers was not something Cooper would discussed.
Asked about it, he smiled and reiterated a comment made moments earlier – that North Carolina remains involved in discussions with “numerous” technology companies.
Price demurred as well, saying he could not speak to it “specifically.”
McKissick also was coy, declining comment.
