Update: January 18, 2018

Amazon announced a short list of 20 metropolitan areas to advance to the next phase of the process for selecting a location for HQ2, its second headquarters. With three selections, the District of Columbia, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia, Greater Washington has more finalists for HQ2 than any other region in North America. 

During the first phase of the HQ2 process, COG supported its members by providing data, maps, and reports to local jurisdictions as they prepared their proposals to Amazon. 

As highlighted in a joint regional letter this fall by officials from the District, Maryland, and Virginia as well as interactive maps and data on the AmazonDMV microsite, Greater Washington's unique strengths make it the best region in North America for anchoring Amazon’s new headquarters. 

Screenshot from AmazonDMV site showing Greater Washington's assets

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In October, the Board of Directors received a briefing from staff on COG’s work over the past month to support local jurisdictions as they prepare their responses to the Amazon request for proposal (RFP) to build a second headquarters.

Staff provided a glimpse of this work, which has included an extensive library of datasets and reports, interactive maps, and messaging about the region’s competitive advantages tailored to the Amazon RFP.

Following the guidance of its officials, COG will be sending this information to local jurisdictions and will not be submitting any information directly to Amazon. In September, the board directed staff to work with local city and county managers to explore opportunities for regional coordination and provide data and assistance related to Amazon’s request for proposal.