Milwaukee 7 will release details on Amazon pitch for its HQ2

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee's mayor and the Waukesha County Executive are joining forces to seal a deal with Amazon. 

Leaders couldn't give an exact location but say the proposed sites for Amazon's second corporate headquarters would be in one of the seven counties in southeast Wisconsin which include Milwaukee, Waukesha, Kenosha, and Ozaukee counties. 

Mayor Tom Barrett argues Milwaukee is in a great location with Madison and Chicago close by. He says the city has the infrastructure to support the online company. 

One of the requirements is access to mass transit. It's a controversial topic. The mayor says the city is working to build that up. 

"I went through the criteria that amazon was laying out. I was able to say over and over again, check, check check, we meet those requirements. So maybe I should apologize that I am not dressed in a giant piece of cheese but I don't apologize for that. I think this is a serious competition and they are not looking for gimmicks. They need communities that understand how to be competitive," says Mayor Barrett. 

Mayor Barrett says they will be submitting the application tonight. Amazon is expected to make a decision in 2018. 

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Leaders from the Milwaukee Metropolitan will submit a proposal to attract Amazon's second corporate headquarters. They'll be competing with cities in the United States and Canada. 

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow will address the news media Wednesday. As co-chairs of the Milwaukee 7, Mayor Barrett and Executive Farrow will discuss the formal response M7 is submitting to attract Amazon's second corporate headquarters.

"Milwaukee meets the basic requirements Amazon has laid out, but we are highlighting how much more we have to offer. Our team has assembled a response to Amazon that will certainly get their attention," Mayor Tom Barrett said.

Amazon's request for proposals outlined several core requirements:

  • Metropolitan areas with a population of over 1 million
  • A stable and business-friendly environment
  • Within 30 miles (48 km) of a population center
  • Within 45 minutes to an international airport
  • Proximity to major highways and arterial roads 1–3 miles 
  • Access to mass transit routes
  • Up to 8 million square feet (740,000 m2) of office space for future expansion

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