As Amazon continues to narrow down its choice for a highly coveted new headquarters and the 50,000 jobs that will come with it, analysts say Montgomery County, D.C. & Northern Virginia are strong contenders for the $5 billion project. Here are a few of the reasons why this area is well-suited for the tech powerhouse:
*Maryland has the highest concentration of STEM workers of any state and is offering a $8.5 billion incentive package.
*Virginia lawmakers are cutting regulations and the economy is strong. Northern VA is close to Data Center Alley, where 70% of internet traffic flows through.
*Transportation is widely accessible, with the Metro system and multiple airports.
*DC has the best educated and most productive workforce in the nation (based on economic output per job).
*CEO Jeff Bezos bought the most expensive house in D.C. in 2013, and the district is increasingly a second home for the Bezos family.
*All three locations meet Amazon’s four main criteria for HQ2: metro areas with over 1 million residents; a stable, business-friendly climate; ability to attract and retain STEM employees; communities that think big and creatively.