Amazon in 'advanced talks' to open second HQ in Washington DC area: Report

Amazon is in “advanced talks” to open its second headquarters in the Washington DC metropolitan area, the Washington Post, a paper owned by Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos, reported on Saturday. Amazon, which is headquartered in Seattle, is seriously considering an area known as Crystal City, a large residential and office complex in Arlington, Virginia, just south of Washington, the Post reported, citing unidentified sources. [caption id=“attachment_5480781” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] The retail giant announced last year that it was looking to open a second headquarters somewhere in the US, a move that could bring with it as many as 50,000 new jobs. Several state and local governments threw their hats in the ring, **offering millions in tax incentives.** The Washington metropolitan area has long been considered a top contender. As well as owning the Post, Bezos has a home in the area. When the company announced a list of 20 top contenders in January, it included Washington and Montgomery county, Maryland, which is just north of the city. Crystal City is served by a mass transit system and major highways, both qualifications Amazon has said are required. However, that Amazon is reportedly in “advanced talks” does not mean the deal is certain to be done. Shortly after the Post published its story, Mike Grella, Amazon’s economic development director, posted on Twitter: “Memo to the genius leaking info about Crystal City, VA as #HQ2 selection. You’re not doing Crystal City, VA any favours.”