Return Back

Jan 23, 2018

Amazon’s HQ2 And The Sunshine Economy

Table of Contents

    [av_layout_row border=” min_height_percent=” min_height=’0′ color=’main_color’ mobile=’av-flex-cells’ id=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′]

    [av_cell_two_third vertical_align=’top’ padding=’30px’ background_color=” src=” background_attachment=’scroll’ background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ mobile_display=”]

    [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]

    Amazon’s HQ2 And The Sunshine Economy

    By TOM HUDSON

    January 2018

    Bob Swindell learned that South Florida made Amazon’s shortlist for its second corporate headquarters like a lot of people – – from a news alert on his phone.

    Swindell did not get a heads up that an announcement was coming or that the bid he worked on would be included. He is the president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, one of three county economic development agencies in South Florida that collaborated on the effort to lure one of the world’s largest companies to make a second home here.


    The South Florida bid to win Amazon’s HQ2 project is referred to as ‘Miami, ‘ not 
    ‘South Florida.’

    The South Florida proposal — officially referred to as Miami — spans Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties with eight proposed sites. While some locations have leaked out in media reports, the organizations responsible for the bid won’t confirm or deny any details of what South Florida is offering Amazon. Nor will they talk about any second iteration. Amazon has required confidentiality agreements for the 20 regions left competing for its attention.

    “While there is a desire to know, and in some cases a need to know, from the public,” said Beacon Council CEO Mike Finney, “I think it’s important for the public to understand that we are moving forward on the basis of what the company has specified in the request for proposal.”

    Click here to view original article.

    [/av_textblock]

    [/av_cell_two_third][av_cell_one_third vertical_align=’top’ padding=’30px’ background_color=” src=” background_attachment=’scroll’ background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ mobile_display=”]

    [av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_display=”]

    [av_sidebar widget_area=’Sidebar Blog’]

    [/av_one_full][/av_cell_one_third][/av_layout_row]

    shaping our future

    Stay Up-to-Date on Miami-Dade’s Economic Progress

    South Florida Economic Development Organizations Visit New York City in Joint Effort to Strengthen Business Connections and Shared Economic Ties

    Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties’ economic development leaders spotlight current connectivity and new cross-market opportunities between NYC and South Florida ‘Mega Region’ SOUTH FLORIDA (December 2, 2025) – The Business Development Board of Palm Beach...

    Miami-Dade Beacon Council Announces 2025-2026 Board Of Directors, New Board Chair, And Chair-Elect

    Board’s Focus Will Usher in New Ways for Attracting Investments and Developing Talent Across the Region MIAMI, FL – October 28, 2025 – The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the County’s official public-private economic development partnership, today announced the 2025-2026...

    Miami-Dade Beacon Council And Foundation Celebrate Return Of Beacon Awards, Honoring Everyday Leaders Powering Miami’s Growth

    Signature Awards Program Held on Oct . 22 , Presented 1 1 Awards, Recognizing Excellence Across Sectors, Small Business, One2Watch, Jay Malina Leadership Award, and New Founders’ Award MIAMI, FL – October 23, 2025 – The Beacon Council Foundation together with the...

    Beacon Council Foundation Names 2025 Beacon Awards Finalists

    Six industry winners, along with the One2Watch and the Small Business awards, to be announced live on Oct. 22 MIAMI, FL (September 16, 2025) – The Beacon Foundation together with the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the County’s official public-private economic development...

    Miami-Dade Beacon Council and Opportunity Miami Win Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council

    MIAMI, FL (August 26, 2025) – The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the County’s official public-private economic development partnership, is proud to announce that together withOpportunity Miami, a Beacon Council Foundation-driven platform that helps catalyze the Miami of...

    The 2025 Beacon Awards To Honor Visionary Leaders Powering Greater Miami’s Economic Future

    Honorees include Alex Villoch, Mas Family, and Dr. Eduardo Padron MIAMI, FL (July 30, 2025) – The Miami-Dade Beacon Council today announced this year’s distinguished honorees for the upcoming Beacon Awards, the organization’s signature recognition program returning...