TRENTON – Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) issued the following statement today on news that the City of Newark has been named as one of 20 finalists to host Amazon’s next headquarters in North America:
“It is a great day for the City of Newark. We are ready to take on a new venture and to serve as Seattle’s counterpart in hosting Amazon’s new headquarters.
“We have all of the assets to not only meet, but exceed Amazon’s needs as it grows its operations. From access to the top professional talent in the world, a robust transportation network, top-tier universities and an arts and entertainment scene that will benefit the company and its workforce. We are also a unique tech hub, and hold the distinction of having the fastest Internet in the country.
“Hosting Amazon would be an enormous win for our city and the entire state, creating tens of thousands of jobs, generating billions in investment and contributing significantly to our economy. I am grateful the Legislature committed its support to bringing the headquarters to our state, joining the elected officials at all levels who are working to make this happen.”
The Legislature approved an incentive plan to draw Amazon to New Jersey, signed into law (S3631) last week. The plan offered to Amazon would create a “Transformative Headquarters Economic Assistance Program” under the administration of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to grant tax credits for establishing a corporate headquarters in New Jersey. According to the plan, the headquarters project would be required to create at least 30,000 new full-time jobs and represent a capital investment of at least $3 billion.