What these 4 N.J. Amazon HQ2 finalists have going for (and against) them

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Amazon HQ2 finalists have going for (and against) them Posted October 08, 2017 at 07:10 AM | Updated October 08, 2017 at 07:10 AM Comment By: Justin Zaremba | NJ Advance Media Shopping malls battered by online retailers may be offered to Amazon as HQ2 sites Amazon's campus in Seattle, Washington, photographed from the roof of Amazon's Port 99 building.(Jordan Stead/Amazon) With the recent report that four New Jersey cities have advanced to the next round of consideration in order to get the state's support for applications to become the site for Amazon's second headquarters, business and public policy experts weighed in on where the cities of Newark, New Brunswick, Jersey City and Camden stand.  Known as "HQ2," Amazon's second headquarters is expected to bring as many as 50,000 jobs and $5 billion in spending to the area it selects. What experts say "New Jersey’s position between New York and Philadelphia is a real advantage," said James W. Hughes, a professor with Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, saying the Garden State's "huge density of labor force" between the two metropolitan areas provides a wellspring the online retail giant could easily tap. Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, said these four cities "and some others in New Jersey, check all the boxes on what Amazon says it’s looking for." "These are metropolitan areas with great rail access and a history of successful revitalization and redevelopment," Siekerka said. "These are locations that attract the next-generation worker. Ultimately, New Jersey’s greatest strengths are a highly-educated workforce with lots of technical talent and its location. So these areas would have a lot to offer for Amazon, which has already heavily invested in New Jersey.” New Jersey Tech Council president and CEO James Barrood said each of the cities has distinct advantages.  "Each has considerable office space capacity and each has very good mass transit options," Barrood said. "I think the reality is that whichever city is ultimately chosen, Amazon's campus would stretch outside the city and utilize the ample space at the plethora of suburban office campuses. In addition, all four cities have good or growing live, work, play options. Wherever Amazon establishes its HQ2, they will transform the city and region." Newark City Hall.jpg The case for Newark Barrood said Newark has a lot of features working in its favor, including access to New York City via the Northeast Corridor line, a range of cheaper housing possibilities, a local arts scene, access to talent from New Jersey and the New York boroughs, and access to three international airports. Newark's proximity to academia and the company, Audible, are also encouraging, he said. nj.com About Us About NJ.com Advertise with us Contact Us Jobs at NJ Advance Media Newsletters Frequently Asked Questions More on NJ.com Interact Weather Site map Claim your free business listing Sponsor Content Search Place an ad Sell your car Sell/rent your home Post a job Post a free classified ad Apartments & rentals NJ.com Sections N.J. News Local News N.J. 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