Amazon’s Headquarters Bake Off Puts It in Corporate Welfare Spotlight

In September 2017, Amazon.com Inc. became America’s most eligible corporate bachelor when it announced plans for a second headquarters. More than 200 cities across North America fell over themselves trying to woo the e-commerce giant and the 50,000 well-paying tech jobs on offer. The more shameless attempts to win Amazon’s attention included Arizona trucking a cactus to Seattle and a Georgia town offering to rename itself, yes, Amazon.

Exactly one year later, negotiations with 20 finalist cities from New York to Los Angeles have retreated behind closed doors. Instead of public displays of affection, Amazon is fending off barbs sharper ...