Krauss: Future Prospects Should be Treated in ‘Amazon-Like Way’
(Image courtesy of the Indy Chamber.)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAs central Indiana leaders react to the decision by Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) to invest $5 billion in new headquarters in New York City and a Washington D.C. suburb, a key figure in Indianapolis’ unsuccessful bid says the city and state "should be extremely proud of what our story is." Indy Chamber Chief Economic Development Officer Maureen Krauss says the resulting data, assets and partnerships developed through Amazon’s more than year-long process will carry over to future opportunities.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Krauss said the pitch yielded quality information and collaboration that came together quickly. "Sure there’s a little disappointment, but we’ve already been talking to other businesses and talent that will really mix in well with our very strong and unique base of tech and entrepreneurial companies that are here," Krauss said. "While this project did not locate here, we know that — going forward — we need to treat every business and talent prospect in an Amazon-like way and this gives us a lot of those stories and assets to do that."
Indianapolis teamed up with Fishers late last year to gather a regional proposal to attempt to lure what Amazon initially said would be a development opportunity equal in scope to its Seattle home base and create 50,000 jobs over 20 years. Amazon announced Tuesday that HQ2 would be split into two communities. Indianapolis was among 20 finalists culled from nearly 240 proposals, including Gary and Hammond.
Governor Eric Holcomb said:
I am proud of Indiana’s efforts to pursue Amazon’s second headquarters. Our economic development teams worked with all the key partners to quickly and creatively put together an outstanding proposal and coordinated our efforts with leaders in northwest, central and southeast Indiana. Responding to this bid showed the world that Indiana has become a global destination for business and a thriving community for tech. We’ll continue to work with Hoosier communities and companies like Amazon, with their more than 9,000 Hoosier employees, to take Indiana to the Next Level and ensure we are the very best place to live, work and play.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said:
Since Amazon announced its search for a new global headquarters, leaders from across Central Indiana have come together to demonstrate the vibrancy and strength of our region’s economic ecosystem. From our talent pipeline, to our proven track record of private-public partnerships, from our culture of innovation, to our collaborative spirit – Indianapolis rose to the top of Amazon’s search process because this is a place companies want to do business and the workforce of the future wants to live, work, and play.
I am confident that the efforts of our region over the last 14 months will pay dividends for years to come, and taxpayers can celebrate that, unlike many cities, we were able to accomplish these things without spending tax dollars.
Indianapolis residents can also take heart that our economic momentum continues to propel us forward: in just the last few months, Infosys has committed to hire 3,000 new employees and invest in the former airport terminal site, and Swiss-based Dormakaba announced that they will move their North American headquarters to Indianapolis and will add more than 100 new jobs.
In short, Indianapolis’ place as the Tech Hub of the Midwest may have shocked some across the country, but nothing about our success is surprising to the companies who continue to choose our city as a place to start a new company or take their vision to the next level.
I want to thank Governor Eric Holcomb, CICEO Chair Mayor Scott Fadness, and the entire Indy Partnership team, as well as Central Indiana’s elected officials, who worked together to tell our region’s story.
Krauss added that the collaboration on the pitch created a stronger "collective voice" for the region. You can connect to more about the bid from the Indy Chamber by clicking here.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Indy Chamber Chief Economic Development Officer Maureen Krauss said the pitch yielded quality information and collaboration that came together quickly.