FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT:  Scott Pedowitz
Government Affairs Manager
(703) 525-2400
Arlington Chamber Joins Coalition to Encourage General Assembly to Support Amazon Headquarters Package
Joint letter of 14 chambers of commerce sees positive benefits for all Virginia businesses and communities
ARLINGTON, Va. - The Arlington Chamber of Commerce has joined in a letter with 13 other chambers of commerce from across Virginia to call upon the General Assembly to support the Commonwealth's proposal for Amazon's new headquarters during its upcoming 2019 legislative session. The coalition's letter says, "Virginia benefits greatly from the Commonwealth's commitment to providing an economic backbone for all businesses through investment in statewide assets, including education, workforce development, and transportation infrastructure." The letter calls upon the General Assembly to approve:
  1. The tech talent investments to deliver a talent pipeline to support technology innovation and businesses beyond Amazon, enhance our workforce, and cement the Commonwealth of Virginia as an innovation hub,
  2. The commitment of up to $195 million in transportation infrastructure investments that will facilitate travel through a critical gateway across the Potomac River and bring people and commerce from around the nation to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and
  3. The post-performance incentives to Amazon that tie directly to the creation of new jobs in Virginia, will cost a fraction of the public benefit from these employees' tax payments and economic activity, and will enhance the competitiveness of our business environment.
This joint position is consistent with the Arlington Chamber's position, expressed in its 2019 General Assembly Policy Positions.
 
The Arlington Chamber convened a meeting of the Coalition of Northern Virginia Chambers and representatives from Amazon at its offices on December 13, 2018 to discuss the opportunities that the Amazon announcement creates for the entire region. At that meeting, the coalition agreed to draft this letter of support, which twelve chambers of commerce from across Northern Virginia, and as also two statewide chambers, have joined. "The benefits of Amazon's new headquarters will extend throughout the entire region," said Kate Bates, President & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. "We are proud that leaders from across Virginia's business community are coming together to support these investments that will pay off for all Virginians for many years to come."
 
Along with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the letter is signed by: the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, and Virginia Chamber of Commerce.


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For access to this release and other statements by the Chamber, click here.
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Founded in 1924, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is a member-centric, volunteer-based, non-profit organization of over 750 businesses committed to the economic and civic well being of the community. For more information or to become a member, visit the Chamber website.