Aurora wants part of second Amazon HQ
State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit on Wednesday confirmed Aurora's plans to bid for part of the second Amazon headquarters.
Amazon last month announced that it's hunting for a second home outside Seattle. The company said it will spend more than $5 billion to house as many as 50,000 employees. There are several sites in Chicago under consideration.
Illinois is a strong contender for the headquarters on a state level, but Aurora's partnership with nonprofit, OnLight, and the city's accessibility put it at a particular advantage, said Kifowit, a former Aurora alderman who now lives in Oswego.
"Years ago Aurora invested in OnLight's fiber optics network, which runs throughout the whole city - which is completely what they are needing for a high-tech industry such as Amazon," said Kifowit, a Democrat. "In addition to being positioned between NIU, we have a lot of avenues of higher education right here surrounding Aurora."
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin was not immediately available for comment. Irvin told the Chicago Tribune that Amazon needs a 100-acre site, and Aurora has 90 acres on the far east side - 100 acres if it partners with Naperville.
Last week, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced an "unprecedented coalition" of more than 600 leaders will "highlight the region's competitiveness and strength." Co-chairs include United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz, Loop Capital Chairman and CEO Jim Reynolds and former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner are the group's honorary co-chairs.
The deadline to submit proposals is Oct. 19, and the final site selection will be announced next year, according to Amazon.
I think there are tons of opportunities that Aurora can compete with in regards to development and being so well positioned with regards to access to the rails and to the interstate," Kifowit said. "The city has a lot to offer."
Amazon recently began operations at a local fulfillment center in Aurora.
• Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.