Secondary Navigation

Citywide Leaders Applaud Announcement of Amazon's New Headquarters in Long Island City

November 13, 2018

“The number one thing we can do for New Yorkers at every rung of the economic ladder is create jobs, and the number one way to do that is to bring companies like Amazon to New York,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. “So, this a great opportunity to help New Yorkers at every income level, but we must make sure there are commensurate infrastructure and housing improvements to the neighborhoods to which Amazon is moving, and make sure community residents are hired when Amazon lands. I commend New York City and State for working together to get this positive result, and I look forward to working with Mayor de Blasio, Governor Cuomo and Amazon to tackle these challenges.”

“Amazon’s decision to locate a headquarters in New York City is a testament to the strength of our technology sector,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. “As the most diverse large city in America, I am hopeful that this investment will help promote racial, ethnic, and gender diversity within the technology sector. I am also encouraged that this decision is accompanied by investments in NYCHA and public infrastructure. More work needs to be done to ensure that all New Yorkers reap the benefits of our economy and I am hopeful that this is the first critical step towards that goal.”

“Welcome to New York City, Amazon. We have the best and brightest technologically skilled workforce that is ready and willing to work and invest in our community and help our economy continue to grow,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “I commend Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio and everyone who worked to make Amazon HQ2 a reality for Long Island City and area communities. I look forward to the Governor and Mayor working with local and state elected officials to make this an inclusive and community-focused effort to ensure a successful future and lasting public-private partnership that will impact residents today and generations to come.”

“Amazon’s decision to locate its new headquarters in Long Island City, Queens marks the largest economic development project in the state’s history and is a testament that New York is open for business,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Amazon’s tens of thousands of high-paying new jobs and multi-billion dollar investment is a game changer, and will have a significant impact on the state economy. By partnering with the state and city, Amazon will also invest in workforce development programs and infrastructure improvements to ensure continued success well into the future.”

"Long Island City - New York's emerging tech hub - is 'primed' for Amazon. Amazon is a timely fit for the borough, given the Tech Plan we commissioned years ago funded by Governor Cuomo to create the city's leading tech ecosystem, coupled with Mayor de Blasio's $180 million in new investments for infrastructure improvements unveiled several weeks ago for schools, transportation and open space. With its organic growth, wealth of local talent and inherent global assets to foster innovation, Queens offers a dynamic mixed-use community where workers can live, ideas can synergize, and businesses can flourish. New companies should take note, however, that New York is a union town. I have full faith that the City and State will be able to resolve all outstanding issues including organized labor, infrastructure and capacity concerns," said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.

“I am happy to see not only a major influx of jobs coming into the city with the arrival of Amazon, but also a coordinated joint effort to assure infrastructure development to meet the growth demands placed on the community,” said State Senator Luis Sepulveda. “I offer to all major companies a similar welcome in the Bronx!”

"Long Island City has been the beating heart of New York City since the modern city began at the turn of the last century.  With this announcement, our community is again poised to be the most successful mixed-use neighborhood in New York" said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan. "Talented residents new and long standing; skilled artists, artisans and activists, inventors and idealists, all call LIC home.  They come from all over the world; from New York's backyards and public housing, because they know New York City has the resources, the will and the drive for all to succeed and have a good life for themselves and their families. All are believers in New York as a beacon of excellence, equity and freedom.  Long Island City Queens is the neighborhood of the fulfillment of their dreams, and this project can be another step in that future.  I look forward to working on the success of this effort."

"Amazon establishing a headquarters in our own backyard in Queens is a once-in-a-generation victory for all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Paul Vallone, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. "By bringing good-paying jobs with ladders for advancement and creating partnerships with our schools and local organizations, life in our borough will improve for thousands. After a nationwide search for its new headquarters, the entire city should be proud that Amazon recognized that there is no place with the diversity and dynamism of Queens.”

“We always welcome new tech job opportunities in Queens, but we must make sure that Amazon’s HQ2 will also support local residents and our mom and pop shops while also investing in our infrastructure,” said Council Member Peter Koo, Chair of the Technology Committee. “The opportunity is here, and we will watch closely to make sure this development has the best interests of Queens and its current residents in mind.”   

"This announcement brings with it tremendous promise of economic opportunity for New Yorkers,” said Council Member Robert Cornegy. “In particular, it brings with it the potential for valuable procurement opportunities for M/WBE contractors and job opportunities for residents of the nearby Queensbridge Houses. It is critical we as a city ensure Amazon follows through on any commitments to making the promise of this new headquarters available to all New Yorkers."  

“I want to commend Mayor De Blasio and Governor Cuomo for their advocacy on behalf of the hardworking residents of New York to secure Long Island City as the new headquarters for Amazon,” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene. “This is a significant investment in the infrastructure of our city, which will include job creation, workforce training programs, community development initiatives, the expansion of our school system, and a commitment to our open spaces. Bringing Amazon to Queens will provide us with a stronger economic foundation for the next generation of New Yorkers, and it will add to our city’s strength at the forefront of the technology industry.” 
    
“Nassau County is pleased to welcome Amazon to the NYC metro area,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “With a highly educated workforce, excellent mass transit to Long Island City, and a growing stock of transit-oriented housing, we are ready to be a part of Amazon HQ2’s success. In the coming months, Governor Cuomo’s ongoing investments in the Long Island Rail Road Third Track will provide even greater transit service to their future headquarters. Nassau offers potential Amazon employees short commute times via the LIRR, steps away from hundreds of units of new housing. I look forward to the anticipated economic growth for the entire region.”

“It’s exciting that Amazon is making this commitment to our great city and state,” said Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “We look forward to working closely with Amazon and the community to ensure that the project includes good middle class construction jobs with benefits and high quality permanent jobs.”

"When Amazon announced their search for a location for HQ2, every New Yorker knew it should be here, and Queens is the perfect home for them. Amazon will be a tremendous boost to New York's economy and stimulate countless industries, from technology to building. The New York Building Congress and our members look forward to working with Amazon and EDC on this exciting venture and the infrastructure improvements it will spur," said Carlo A. Scissura,  President & CEO of the New York Building Congress.

"Amazon's move to Long Island City is a tremendous win and confirms New York is a global leader in tech. The fact that Amazon is choosing a borough outside of Manhattan marks the culmination of a long term City and State economic development strategy to diversify our economy throughout the five boroughs. This announcement is a significant achievement for our state and local leaders, congratulations to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, NYC Economic Development President Patchett and everyone on their teams who worked to make this happen,” said John H. Banks, REBNY President.

“Almost 30 years ago, the tallest building ever constructed in Queens opened as Citi moved into what has become an iconic tower in Long Island City,” said Citi CEO Michael Corbat.   Since that time, thousands of our colleagues have become part of the fabric of the neighborhood and watched it transform into the bustling, vibrant community it is today.  While our company and its needs have changed over time, our appreciation and affection for this neighborhood have only grown stronger.  As we have been consolidating our people in our global headquarters in Tribeca, we have still maintained a significant presence in Long Island City.  But given what it would mean to New York and Long Island City to have Amazon establish a significant presence here, we want to do our part to make this possible.  We have committed to vacate certain floors at One Court Square early and move about 1,100 of the colleagues who presently work there to alternate locations, including in Long Island City and our Tribeca headquarters.  As a company that has been based here since our founding 206 years ago, we couldn’t be happier to welcome Amazon to the great City of New York.”

“Amazon on the East River is no accident. It’s an outgrowth of what has and continues to make New York so special. There is no better city in the world than New York to access a large and diverse pool of talent”, said Steven Rubenstein, Chair of the Board of the Association for A Better New York

"For decades, residents of the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City didn’t have access to new jobs created in LIC. They’ve had to commute into Manhattan and to other parts of Queens and Brooklyn to access good-paying jobs,” said April Simpson, president of the Queensbridge Tenants Association. “Amazon's HQ2 announcement although exciting in its potential to create jobs for people who live in the Long Island City area, we also need to work closely together to ensure that residents in Queensbridge Houses will be guaranteed 100% access to these jobs and educational training in workforce development programs that will open the door to  thousands of future jobs this partnership with Amazon will create. There’s still a lot of work to be done and we definitely welcome the opportunity to work with Amazon, the City, and State representatives to ensure that this deal works for those who will & should benefit most: Queensbridge residents.”

“As the largest business association in Queens County, the Queens Chamber of Commerce is excited to work with Amazon, other organizations and our elected officials as it adds HQ2 to Long Island City,” said Thomas J. Grech, President & CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “With a well-developed existing network of local partners that can provide anything a thriving business might need, Queens is a great place to live, work and play. Organizations throughout Queens will benefit from the jobs Amazon is bringing to the area and we intend to make sure that the entire business community thrives and prospers.”

"As a long term property owner in LIC, it is very exciting to welcome Amazon into our vibrant and growing neighborhood", said LIC BID Chairman and President of Brause Realty, David Brause. "Amazon will join other leading innovative companies like JetBlue Airways, which is headquartered in our building on Queens Plaza.  Long Island City's amazing location, incredible transportation access, world-class cultural institutions and a wonderful mixe-use community will offer Amazon employees a perfect neighborhood to call home."

“Ever since our grandfather opened Plaxall at Anable Basin more than 70 years ago, our family has believed in Long Island City as a center of productivity, innovation, and artistic creativity,” said Plaxall Managing Directors Paula Kirby, Tony Pfohl and Matthew Quigley and President Jonathan Drescher. “Informed by our decades working with local residents, businesses and institutions, we have developed a vision for Anable Basin centered around that spirit of productivity and quality of life – one that maintains light manufacturing while also creating public accessibility to a long-shuttered waterfront. We are proud to have a partner in Amazon that shares that vision. We’ve seen firsthand in Seattle how the company has worked to develop and integrate its campus and employees into the surrounding community, and we know Amazon intends to execute a similar vision here. It’s therefore meaningful for us, as a family, to be able to work closely with Amazon on a plan for Anable Basin that honors the character of LIC and stays true to the same vision of innovation and productivity that drew our grandfather, Louis Pfohl, here seven decades ago, and was furthered by his children, Ann, Jim and Lynn. Plaxall welcomes Amazon to LIC and looks forward to continuing our longstanding discussions with the community about Anable Basin as plans move forward.”

“Amazon represents the biggest example of what we already are proud to have: creative, productive, inventive companies, people and community,” said Elizabeth Lusskin, President, Long Island City Partnership.  We are very excited that Amazon will be bringing career growing opportunities for our incredibly diverse population of residents and students, including at LaGuardia Community College.  We applaud Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio for their great leadership, and look forward to working with them and with Amazon as we plan thoughtfully, holistically and carefully for our mixed use future that benefits all.”

“This is an exciting day for Long Island City,” said Gary Kesner, Chair of LIC Partnership Board and EVP, Silvercup Studios.  “It is the culmination of a collective effort by the LIC Partnership, businesses, property owners and educational institutions working together to present the best of LIC. Amazon’s presence will be a great opportunity for our commercial, residential and cultural community to grow and participate in technological innovation. The potential for employment opportunities for the community’s residents is unequaled by any previous business development. Congratulations to the State and City for making this happen and to Amazon for its smart choice.”

“Amazon’s choice of LIC demonstrates the richness of talent that Western Queens has to offer and recognizes NY is and will continue to be a place that welcomes the best and brightest, said Hal Rosenbluth, president and CEO of Kaufman Astoria Studios.”

“Pursuit — a Long Island City-based social impact organization that trains low-income adults to become software developers and helps them gain family-sustaining tech jobs — plans to work with Amazon at its HQ2 destination to provide workforce training for low-income New York City residents. We’re excited about partnering with Amazon at HQ2 to provide meaningful jobs for our local community,” said Jukay Hsu, CEO and co-founder of Pursuit. “Creating a thriving — and inclusive — tech community in Queens has been the core of our mission since the beginning. By training adults with the highest need and potential to become software developers, Pursuit helps graduates get jobs at leading companies and, on average, go from making $18,000 pre-program to $85,000 post-program. Pursuit has worked with companies such as Blue Apron and Managed by Q to retrain their blue-collar warehouse workers to code and get rehired as software developers at their companies. Having done this work in Queens over the past seven years, we understand the needs of our community and the barriers they face in accessing these growing opportunities in the tech industry. Amazon is coming to Queens. Pursuit can bring Queens to Amazon. We look forward to working with Amazon, New York City, and New York State to ensure that these promises are meaningfully delivered.”

“We at Silvercup Studios are thrilled that Amazon has recognized the value of locating in LIC, our home for the past 35 years,” said Alan Suna, Silvercup Studios, CEO. “LIC has the culture, mixed use, transportation, housing and diverse population that will enable Amazon to attract talent and grow with our community in the years ahead. We are a creative “village” with Silvercup Studios, tech leader with Boyce Technologies, and education powerhouse with our partners at LaGuardia Community College. Amazon will, as they have done elsewhere, invest in our community and bring much needed 24/7 life to our streets cape and waterfront.  We look forward to having Amazon, both as a neighbor and a continuing TV production client, into the next decades.”

“It’s exciting to see Amazon recognize Long Island City, where our college serves as the educational anchor, as THE place to be in New York City,” said LaGuardia Community College President Gail O. Mellow. “Having Amazon in our backyard will be transformative for our students — particularly the 3,500 in our tech programs each year. Many of our students are sure to be future Amazon employees. We’re ready to develop partnerships with Amazon, and look forward to getting to work.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Amazon to New York, and look forward to seeing it and its thousands of future employees prosper alongside our city," said Julie Samuels, Executive Director of Tech:NYC. "From a talented workforce to local leaders dedicated to creating a business environment that can attract innovative companies, it is no surprise that Amazon would want to greatly expand its presence here. Amazon’s decision will have far-reaching positive impacts on New York for years to come, and it solidifies the City’s position as one of the most dynamic technology hubs in the world.”

“Over the past decade, New York City has developed into an international tech hub—a top destination for talent and companies across sectors,” said Kevin Ryan, CEO of AlleyCorp. “It is not a surprise that Amazon would want access to the full diversity of industry, people, experience, and expertise that resides in NYC and there is  no doubt that HQ2, and the tech jobs that come with it, will help our city continue to thrive. I look forward to welcoming Amazon to New York.”

“New York City made an unprecedented investment in computer science education and Amazon’s choice to open HQ2 here shows that commitment paying off,” said Fred Wilson, Partner at Union Square Ventures. “The New York tech community welcomes Amazon and the tens of thousands of jobs it brings and remains committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to the training they need to get those jobs.”

“Amazon’s presence will solidify New York City’s position as the tech capital of the world and be a boon for the small businesses located here that are increasingly selling their products on the platform,” said Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “Our Chamber looks forward to maximizing the relationship to ensure that this unprecedented opportunity is a win for all stakeholders.”

"We are excited for our partners in Queens who will make a welcoming and successful home for Amazon HQ2. We will continue to promote Brooklyn and our neighboring boroughs as the place for doing business thanks to the diverse, accessible landscape and highly skilled workforce. Projects like the BQX light rail help us continue to grow our local talent and economy along the thriving coast of Brooklyn and Queens.  We look forward to the jobs this move will bring to all of New York City," said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Hector Batista.

“As New York’s Hometown Airline, we are thrilled to welcome Amazon to Long Island City,” said JetBlue’s CEO Robin Hayes. “This announcement reinforces New York City’s standing as one of the world’s great centers of innovation and business. We knew Long Island City was something special when we choose to base JetBlue here in 2010, and we look forward to Long Island City’s continued growth with Amazon’s decision today. Welcome to the neighborhood!”

“In the 21st Century economy, the keys to success are talent, talent and talent. Amazon’s decision to select Long Island City as a winner in its HQ2 competition shows that, thanks to years of smart investment by both the private sector and successive City and State administrations, this incredible mixed-use community is ground zero for this most precious commodity,” said Seth Pinsky, EVP, Fund Manager, RXR Realty. “With its amazing open space, unparalleled transit infrastructure, world-class cultural institutions, incredibly diverse population, thriving commercial and industrial sectors and accessibility to Roosevelt Island’s Cornell-Technion campus, Long Island City is now clearly marked as the prototype of what a successful live/work/play community should be.”

"At littleBits, our mission is directly tied to our presence in New York,” said Ayah Bdeir, founder and CEO, littleBits. "We want to empower kids everywhere to become tomorrow's changemakers and for that we’ve picked New York as a center for diversity of thought, of backgrounds, and of industries. In choosing New York as HQ2, I hope Amazon is embracing this diversity and will help us build a more empathetic, positive, and inclusive tech industry."

“Amazon's decision builds on an already strong pattern of investment into NYC as a tech capital -- so for those who have been a part of assembling the ecosystem here, this is recognition that we know will add velocity to the growing opportunities within NYC tech,” said John Lynn, co-founder of Accelerator Awesome. “For NYC, this is hallmark evidence that our transition into a tech economy is now a full ascent, and that the city is in a strong position to attract and encourage even more talented individuals and groups to join our growing community of innovators.”

“We began this business in Long Island City and have not wavered on our commitment to stay due to our access to a talented and diverse workforce, favorable tax incentives, and proximity to all major forms of transportation,” said Alvarez Symonette, Chief of Staff at Lady M Confections. “Long Island City has given us the stability desired by any small business. The multitude of supports have allowed us to dream big, cut through the layers of big-city bureaucracy, and watch our business expand from an eight-person kitchen in LIC (with a tiny luxury ‘cake boutique’ on Manhattan’s Upper East Side) to a highly diverse global workforce with 1000+ employees involved in retail and manufacturing operations across the U.S. and Asia. Plus, add in 8 million potential customers and it’s a perfect recipe for growing any business. We can easily understand Amazon’s attraction to this wonderful community.”

"I’m optimistic that Amazon has seen what we’ve known all along – that LIC is an amazing place to grow a business,” said Ben Guttman, Partner and Co-Founder, Digital Natives Group. “I hope that they can join the highly engaged and civically minded business community in our neighborhood, and that they will join us to be good corporate citizens by advocating for more affordable housing, transportation improvements, public space, and more."

"New York’s gravitational pull has reached a tipping point--it’s quite simply amazing to live and work here,” said Justin Elghanayan, President, Rockrose. “Amazon will bring a vibrant work force to Court Square. We welcome the Amazon team to make their home here."

“Amazon’s commitment is a welcome addition to New York City’s already fast-growing vibrant tech ecosystem and will help Civic Hall in its efforts to make more high paying tech and tech-related jobs available to underserved New Yorkers,” said Andrew Rasiej, Founder and CEO of Civic Hall. “Amazon's choice will also encourage even more tech companies and startups to chose New York for its high-quality and highly diverse workforce, helping to make the entire tech industry, more inclusive and socially responsible in ways Silicon Valley has never done or been able to do.”

“We are thrilled and not surprised that Amazon is coming to New York City for our talent—including the country's largest public school system of 1.1 million students who are participating in Computer Science for All,” said Michael Preston, managing partner, CSforAll. “NYC has always attracted top talent, but in this case we're unlocking it, too. The kids in our schools are the future of NYC and now the future of Amazon. We welcome Amazon and look forward to working together to fill their ranks with NYC public school alumni.”

“The availability of a diverse, skilled workforce played a key role in bringing Amazon to New York City,” said Plinio Ayala, president and CEO of Per Scholas. “There are thousands of diverse, local workers who have the motivation, curiosity and capability to excel at a company like Amazon. With the right investment, organizations like Per Scholas can provide the training to deliver a tech talent pipeline to fuel Amazon and the many other tech companies that will be entering our growing tech ecosystem.”

“We're thrilled that thanks to Amazon's investment in the local workforce, we're about to see expanded opportunities for skilled workers from non-traditional backgrounds,” said Jake Schwartz, General Assembly’s co-founder and CEO. “It's this continued support for our diverse workforce that makes New York such a desirable tech hub."

“As the founding principal of P-TECH, the public/private partnership that allows students from the New York City Department of Education, to have an early college start with the City University of New York’s New York City College of Technology, and an early career start with IBM, I enthusiastically celebrate Amazon’s selection of NYC,” said Rashid Davis, founding principal of P-TECH. “Amazon’s selection of NYC is a testament to our talented students of NYCDOE and CUNY. I look forward to being of assistance in helping Amazon develop several P-TECH pipelines to be prepared for the jobs and careers that will be created.”

“Shine Electronics is a multi-generational family owned small business that has been in the heart of Long Island City, Queens for the past 30 years,” said Elliot Park, President and CEO, Shine Electronics Co.  “We welcome the announcement of Amazon to our neighborhood in the hopes we can make this unique and thriving business community a signature model of new innovative economic development partnerships between large global companies such as Amazon and local small community based businesses here in Long Island City."

"As a proud member of the Queens community since 1973 (LIC since 1995), and as the founder of a rapidly-growing-business proudly based in LIC, I am super-excited at the prospect of Amazon joining our business landscape,” said Frank "Turtle" Raffaele, Founder of COFFEED. “With their innovating workforce and invigorating ideas, I believe they will serve as an active and dynamic presence in what is already an amazing place to do business, live, and visit.  We enthusiastically welcome them to our community and we look forward to showing them what all of us have known for years: that Long Island City is the future and the face of a modern, progressive, and transformative mixed-use area and a great place to be!"

“I commend Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio and everyone who worked to make Amazon Head Quarters 2 a reality in Queens,” said Rev. Dr’s. Floyd and Elaine Flake, Pastors - Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York. “I'm especially please to learn that Amazon in partnership with the City and State is committed to a robust workforce development plan with CUNY, SUNY, and local workforce development organizations to prepare New Yorkers for 21st Century jobs.”

“The news of Amazon establishing a headquarters in Long Island City is a breath of fresh air on the growing reality of economic gentrification in New York City,” said Rev. AR Bernard, Senior Pastor and CEO Christian Cultural Center. “The potentiality of 40,000 new jobs and the Mayor’s Affordable Housing initiative gives hope to those stress by economic pressures.”

“The presence of Amazon coming to Long Island City will present an endless list of possibilities from workforce development to positioning our entire city as a leader in the tech world,” said Pastor Phil Craig, The Greater Springfield Community Church.  “This will also have a huge influence and positive impact on our school system if we meet goals of high-tech implementation from high school to our CUNY. I commend the Governor's and the Mayor's office on leading this game changing initiative.”

“I welcome Amazon coming to Queens, with great hope that it will bring opportunity and prosperity, especially for those who already live in this community,” said Rev. Patrick Young, First Baptist Church of Corona. “We look forward to working with Amazon to ensure that our local community-based nonprofit organizations can be partners in the process of creating jobs, mentoring young people, and investing in community development.”

“I am excited about the possibilities that abound with Amazon building its new headquarters in Long Island City,” said Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Jr., First Corinthians Baptist Church.  “Amazon’s decision will make a significant contribution to economic development, especially with regard to the creation of new jobs that many can benefit from. This is a huge win for all of New York City”

“Amazon's selection of Long Island City for their HQ2 is in part a testament to the vibrant community that it is,” said Mary Ceruti, Chief Curator and Executive Director, SculptureCenter. “A talent focused company like Amazon is well aware of the value that Long Island City's cultural life will offer to their employees. I am optimistic that this presents an opportunity to get the concentrated focus from the city on the infrastructure that our community needs.”

“Everyone at Neuman’s Kitchen is excited to have Amazon become part LIC,” said Paul Neuman, Chief Inspiration Officer, Neuman’s Kitchen. “We are the most vibrant, creative and energetic business community anywhere and we look forward to having Amazon in the family. Great choice Jeff.”

“Long Island City has been preparing for this moment and is primed for Amazon and the community benefits, and 25 thousand and more new jobs it will create,” said Eric Benaim, CEO  and president, ModernSpaces.

"As a startup based here in New York, it means a lot to us that Amazon believes in New Yorkers and will be investing in job training programs for local residents. The growth and scale that Simply Gum has achieved on Amazon has already helped us to create over 30 manufacturing jobs here in Brooklyn. As we continue to grow, Simply Gum, along with other small businesses in New York, will hugely benefit from Amazon's work force training and development. Amazon's commitment to New York is a win for all of us,” said Caron Proschan, Founder and CEO, Simply Gum.

“With its deep roots in manufacturing and innovation, BTI chose LIC with the anticipation of a renaissance. BTI relocated our corporate office and built our state of the art advanced manufacturing center to be the stake of the LIC technology hub. We are proud that Amazon chose LIC and we invite other premier tech companies join us. Amazon helps pave the way for LIC to become a major advanced commercial center with national importance. LIC has great synergies with art, family life, amazing waterfront recreational area, extensive transportation, community involvement, and innovation, all in the heart of Queens,” said Charles Boyce, President, Boyce Technologies, Inc.

"Amazon will solidify New York City's franchise as a leading center for the tech industry, while bringing additional vibrancy to the Queens waterfront. And Long Island City, with its mix of residential, commercial, industrial and creative uses, together with its ready access to Cornell Tech and the Manhattan core, is the ideal location for Amazon to put down its roots here," said Carl Weisbrod, Senior Advisor at HR&A Advisors, and former Chairman of the NYC Planning Commission.

“Cornell Tech is proud to welcome Amazon to New York City as its new neighbor across the river from our campus on Roosevelt Island. By choosing Long Island City for HQ2, Amazon will join one of the world’s fastest-growing and most diverse tech communities,” said Josh Hartmann, chief practice officer at Cornell Tech. “Cornell Tech is spinning out hundreds of graduates each year as well as groundbreaking, impactful research, and through key partnerships with CUNY and K-12 public schools, we are expanding the city’s pipeline of skilled tech talent. New York City has emerged as a destination for tech and innovation, and Amazon’s arrival will accelerate growth and success for the city and for Cornell Tech.”

“At Columbia, we have always known that New York is the best place for creative young people looking to make their mark on the world.  Clearly, Amazon knows that, too.  With today’s news, we are confident that we will see even more jobs and internships for NYC’s students, and more collaborations on cutting edge research projects for NYC’s university scientists.  Amazon’s decision to locate in NYC is a strong validation of, and will contribute greatly to, this city’s rising prominence as a world-class innovation hub,” said Orin Herskowitz, Senior Vice President for Intellectual Property and Tech Transfer at Columbia University.

"NYU was proud to be a partner with the City in its efforts to bring Amazon to New York, and prouder still to hear today's wonderful news,” said NYU President Andrew Hamilton. “It is an important indicator of New York's growing success in turning itself into a world capital of technology and innovation.  While NYU draws students from all over the US and world, most stay on and work here in New York.  Amazon's presence will provide great new opportunities for our talented graduates in a wide range of fields.  Welcome to New York, Amazon."  

“New York has long been a magnet for talent across so many industry sectors and has recently emerged as a major force in engineering and technology. Amazon’s announced headquarters further catapults the diverse, creative, and innovative ecosystem that is New York City,” said Mary C. Boyce, Dean of Columbia Engineering.  “As one of the leading engineering schools in the country, Columbia Engineering, with more than 220 faculty and over 4000 undergraduate and graduate students, is excited to work with our peers and with Amazon to propel New York City forward as it claims its place as a leading technology hub.”

“New York’s economy will be stronger, more diverse, and more resilient with Amazon here. As hot as the city’s economy has been in recent years, New York absolutely will benefit from adding 25,000 good-paying jobs and landing one of the largest players in an industry that will likely drive much of the nation’s job growth in the decades ahead,” said Jonathan Bowles, executive director, Center for an Urban Future, an independent think tank focuses on expanding economic opportunity in New York.

"Long Island City has an abundance of transportation access: subway lines, commuter rail, ferry service, bike and scooter access as well as proximity to major airports. This makes LIC an ideal site for Amazon,” said Mitchell Moss, Director, NYU Rudin Center for Transportation.

 "NYU Tandon is a proud partner with the NYC Economic Development Corporation and is pleased to have worked with the Administration to help bring Amazon HQ2 to New York City," said NYU Tandon School of Engineering Dean Jelena Kovaèeviæ.  "The collaborations we envision with Amazon will continue to make New York a preeminent tech hub and we will continue to provide the talent necessary for the innovation economy to thrive here." 

“New York City is the best place for women in tech,” said Judy Spitz, Cornell Tech’s WiTNY Program Director. “Cornell Tech’s goal of creating and strengthening our community through the WiTNY Initiative, which propels young women into excellent internship opportunities and tech careers at renowned companies like Amazon, is helping to close the gender gap in the tech sector.”

“The City University of New York is thrilled to be a lead partner in Amazon’s exciting headquarters expansion, which promises to have a transformative impact on New York City’s economy and our collective ability to spur employment opportunities and growth,” CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. said. “CUNY is America’s largest urban university system, and we will commit our considerable college assets to ensure that Amazon has a strong pipeline for talent, ideas and innovation.”

“CUNY stands ready to work with Amazon and our partners in government to provide skilled graduates ready to compete for Amazon’s 40,000 new jobs,” said CUNY Interim Chancellor Vita C. Rabinowitz.  “We look forward to contributing the  talent and creativity of our Faculty, staff and students to shape a wide-ranging collaboration over the years.”

Media Contact

pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov
(212) 788-2958