Following Amazon's decision to pull out of its plans to build its second headquarters in Long Island, last month, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is reportedly working intensely to lure the online retailer back to the area, including his making a personal appeal to Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos.
Cuomo has had "multiple phone conversations" with several Amazon executives over the last two weeks, the New York Times reported Thursday, citing multiple sources. Cuomo hasn't offered a new location, but said he would assist the company to navigate governmental red tape and guaranteed his support for the project.
An open letter to Bezos and Amazon executives from dozens of unions, business leaders, community groups and elected officials was published Friday in the New York Times. It promised that Cuomo would "take personal responsibility for the project's state approval."
"We know the public debate that followed the announcement of the Long Island City project was rough and not very welcoming. Opinions are strong in New York—sometimes strident. We consider it part of the New York charm!" the letter says. "But when we commit to a project as important as this, we figure out how to get it done in a way that works for everyone.
Among the signatories on the letter include Ajay Banga, the President and CEO of Mastercard, James P. Gorman, Chairman & CEO, Morgan Stanley, Michael L. Corbat, Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup Inc., and Hon. David Dinkins, the former Mayor, City of New York.
Amazon cancelled its plans to build a second headquarters in New York City last month following a backlash to their decision. In a blog post announcing the decision, Amazon said they would proceed with their plans to build in Northern Virginia and hire across their 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the U.S. and Canada.
"We are disappointed to have reached this conclusion—we love New York, its incomparable dynamism, people, and culture—and particularly the community of Long Island City, where we have gotten to know so many optimistic, forward-leaning community leaders, small business owners, and residents."
There's no indication that Amazon is reconsidering its decision.
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