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Support Is Growing In Effort To Bring Amazon HQ2 To Bridgeport Area

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The effort to attract the new second headquarters of Amazon to the greater Bridgeport area is gathering steam. 

Robert Christoph Jr. of Bridgeport Landing Development and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim survey the waterfront from Steelpointe Harbor.

Robert Christoph Jr. of Bridgeport Landing Development and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim survey the waterfront from Steelpointe Harbor.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau say they are very interested in bringing the largest Internet-based retailer in the world to the largest city in Connecticut. 

“We believe that the City of Bridgeport and Fairfield County have the attributes and meet the criteria that Amazon is looking for,” said Ganim.

An analysis by MarketWatch selected 11 suitable cities for the new headquarters — and Bridgeport is one of those cities selected. 

“We are keenly interested to attract a world-renowned company like Amazon to advance Fairfield County as a potential site for its second corporate headquarters,” Tetreau said.

Related story: Could Bridgeport Become Home To The Amazon HQ2 Headquarters?

Paola Goren has started a petition at Change.org, calling on Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos to "take a look at Bridgeport as your second home."

Here is what he says at Change.org:  "With a very diverse workforce, unparalleled access to transportation options, beautiful streets and parks within close proximity of the powerhouse Northeastern market, Bridgeport is an ideal city for your Amazon HQ2.

"The City of Bridgeport has also setup a Tax Incentive Program for commercial business. As you may know the history of Bridgeport is know of being a industrialized city, and it's currently one of the state's most populous city. If you’re looking to start your business or jumpstart its growth, then take a look at Bridgeport. Major manufacturers, technology and health care companies have located here to take advantage of our many assets."

Bridgeport is leading the reader poll on the MarketWatch story, with 4,405 votes, or 18 percent of the return, as of late Monday. Austin is a close second, at 17 percent. 

Both Ganim and Tetreau say they look forward to pursuing this opportunity, which would bring 50,000 high-paying jobs to the area and strengthen economic growth across the region. 

Related story: Hoydick Wants Stratford To Join The Race For Amazon's HQ2 Headquarters

Laura Hoydick, executive director of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, is calling for regional cooperation to attract Amazon's second headquarters to the region.

“Stratford and the greater Bridgeport region fits the bill perfectly for Amazon’s new corporate headquarters, and we have numerous locations right here in Stratford that would be ideal,” said Hoydick, state representative for the 120th District. “We have the skilled labor force down here essential for Amazon’s operations, as well as access by highway, airport, train and medium harbor ports, and Bridgeport has a deep harbor port.”

Hoydick, the Republican candidate for mayor of Stratford, said she would seek a regional effort to try to land Amazon. “I would look to work with the leaders of our neighboring communities to make this happen – the benefit to all of our communities in terms of jobs and economic development would be tremendous.”

MarketWatch's other top candidates are Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Denver, New York, Provo, Raleigh, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

Click here for the story at MarketWatch. Click here to see the petition at Change.org.

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