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Even New Hampshire is Considering a Pitch for Amazon's Second HQ

New Hampshire is considering adding its name to the list of states making a pitch for Amazon's proposed second company headquarters.  

 
Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, says the "Live Free Or Die" state's quality of life and tax advantages -- including no state income tax -- could be one of the incentives.
"We are reviewing those requirements for this project and evaluating the resources that New Hampshire has to offer," Caswell said in a statement.  He also mentioned a business-friendly climate and an "outstanding quality of life, which is appealing to companies both foreign and domestic."

Amazon opened up its search for a site for the new $5 billion facility last week. Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said the facility would grow to 50,000 employees and rival its Seattle headquarters.

New Hampshire, with a population of slightly more than 1 million, might be out of its weight class in this fight. Amazon's preferences include an urban area with more than 1 million people.

The interest picked up this week. It includes aFacebook page highlighting why spunky, little New Hampshire should give it a go.

The group of Granite Staters, including more than 50 signing onto the effort, seizes on the potential proposal from New Hampshire as a way to encourage economic development, while addressing some of the state's challenges, such as the availability of affordable housing. 

Deaglan McEachern, a businessman from Portsmouth who helped launch the grassroots encouragement, says the petition shows there is great interest. If nothing else, it is a good exercise for the state as it pursues business recruitment, he says.

The group appreciates that it is something of a long shot. "I don't know if this even counts as an underdog story," McEachern says.

Dan is a long-time New Hampshire journalist who has written for outlets including Foster's Daily Democrat, The Citizen of Laconia, The Boston Globe, and The Eagle-Tribune. He comes to NHPR from the New Hampshire Union Leader, where he reported on state, local, and national politics.
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