Prince George’s officials felt snubbed when their county was the lone jurisdiction in the Washington region not picked as a finalist for Amazon’s second headquarters. Now, though, they say Prince George’s could be the “lucky loser” of the retailing giant’s move to Crystal City.
The abundance of Metro stations and low housing prices in the county, which is home to the state’s flagship university, could attract new employees and businesses that Amazon will bring. But experts say that to best capitalize on opportunities presented by Amazon’s second headquarters, Prince George’s must make a concerted effort that includes marketing, improving its schools and boosting workforce development.
“There’s a real opportunity there,” said Margery Turner, a senior vice president at the Urban Institute. “Access to affordable housing and quick transportation across the region is going to be a magnet.”
Terry L. Clower, director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, said Prince George’s needs “an ‘everybody in the pool’ effort” to market itself to auxiliary businesses as well as potential new residents and ensure that neighborhoods are safe and educational opportunities are plentiful.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Rachel Chason over at the Washington Post