Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | October 30, 2017 | wbjournal.com C E N T R A L M AS S I N B R I E F O f the 238 cities and states who submit- ted bids to attract online retail giant Amazon's second headquarters, three are from Central Massachusetts. Worcester, Leominster, and a coalition of MetroWest commu- nities submitted bids with hopes the company would build its potential 8 million-square-foot headquarters there, bring up to 50,000 high-paying jobs and invest $5 billion into local infra- structure. In addition to the three indi- vidual bids, Massachusetts in its official bid highlighted areas of downtown Worcester potentially serving as the site of at least part of the headquarters. The company is seeking a major metropolitan area of more than 1 million residents and access to higher education institutions, public transportation and proximity to an international airport. WORCESTER'S BID Tax breaks: $500 million in tax-incre- ment financing over 20 years Proposed property: Worcester offered up 98 acres of land off of Route 20 made up of three mostly-contiguous parcels of 22.2 acres, 53.9 acres and 21.9 acres. The property is owned by multiple pri- vate entities and is currently zoned for manufacturing, but zoning can always be changed. Strengths: Even though the city of 180,000 is smaller than Amazon's V E R B A T I M Increasing addiction services "These expansions will offer new and convenient options to hundreds of people, and we will continue to fight to bring people struggling with substance use disorders the help they need." Kurt Isaacson, Spectrum Health Systems CEO, on new outpatient treatment centers in Millbury and Weymouth Call for single-payer "Too many people in Massachusetts are already struggling with health insurance they can't afford to use." Setti Warren, Newton mayor and 2018 gubernatorial candidate, calling for the state to adopt a single-payer health care system Project complete "This building speaks to the centrality of the intellectual life of the campus and the centrality of our mission as a Catholic liberal arts institution, which seeks to integrate the classical liberal arts tradition with professional transformation." Francesco Cesareo, Assumption College president, on the completion of a 62,000-square-foot academic center Breaking down the Central Mass. bids for Amazon BY ZACHARY COMEAU Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer desired size, the entire Greater Worcester metropolitan area would sat- isfy the population requirements. The region is home to 12 colleges and a growing technology sector. The city offers cheaper real estate and cost of living compared to Boston with access to virtually the same workforce. Weaknesses: Worcester's transporta- tion infrastructure is underdeveloped with a small airport, no direct access to the Massachusetts Turnpike, and a lim- ited transit system. Amazon would be unable to build one contiguous campus on the proposed properties, and the city's property tax rate is significantly higher than the two other Central Massachusetts proposals. METROWEST'S BID Tax breaks: Undisclosed deal would be created four weeks after Amazon expresses interest. Proposed property: A coalition made up of Marlborough, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough and Hudson offered 2.5 million square feet in business parks in Marlborough and Northborough near I-495, and 4.3 mil- lion square feet of space along the highway in Southborough and Westborough at sites owned by Dell EMC, office parks and vacant land. Strengths: Of the "We're close to Boston's colleges and workforce but less expensive" arguments, MetroWest has the best one. Marlborough is already home to major technol- ogy companies like GE Healthcare, Raytheon and Boston Scientific. Being at the intersection of the Mass Pike and I-495 offers logistical advantages to New England's urban hubs. Weaknesses: Despite Marlborough's efforts, MetroWest is not an urban hub, instead retaining its suburban appeal. Transit is frequently cited as a problem for MetroWest compa- nies with significant portions of their workforces commuting from Boston. LEOMINSTER'S BID Tax breaks: $405 million over 13 years through a special tax assessment Proposed property: The city proposed a 30-acre capped landfill off of the Leominster Connector roadway to hold 858,000-square-feet of office space, a 216-acre site directly off of I-190 and several other privately-owned sites to accommodate the entire HQ2. Strengths: Of the three Central Massachusetts bids, Leominster would offer the best cost advantages for building HQ2 and cost of living for Amazon's workforce. The city has highway and train access to major New England hubs. Weaknesses: Its population is well under Amazon's desired 1-million mark, with the most populated areas an hour drive away. The industry around Leominster isn't as technology-oriented as Worcester or MetroWest. W A picker at one of Amazon's fulfillment facilities prepares items for shipment.

• Cover