Amazon to Manitoba? Pallister leading the charge

WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s Premier wants to see Winnipeg become the home of Amazon’s second North American headquarters.

Brian Pallister says there will be a “Team Manitoba” effort to bring the giant retailer here.

On Thursday, the Seattle-based company announced it’s looking for proposals to determine the site of what it calls “HQ2” — which will be considered a “full equal” to the Seattle headquarters.

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Amazon will invest $5 billion dollars U.S. into the site, which would span eight million square feet of space, and would create up to 50,000 jobs. It would be considered a “full equal” to the Seattle headquarters.

Pallister says it’s a tremendous opportunity for Winnipeg, and Manitoba. “With our central location in North America, our transportation infrastructure, our well-educated workforce, our plentiful green energy and the lowest cost of doing business in the continent, Winnipeg is the best choice to be the home of Amazon’s HQ2.”

He adds that he has reached out to Mayor Brian Bowman and the business community.

Bowman adds “Winnipeg’s geographic position in the centre of the country, history as a multi-modal hub, and advanced technology and manufacturing expertise makes it the perfect location for Amazon.”