New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Newark City Council Approves Amazon HQ2 Incentives

originally published: 07/11/2018


(NEWARK, NJ) -- On July 11th, the Newark City Council passed enabling legislation authorizing up to two billion dollars previously announced as part of its campaign to bring Amazon’s second international headquarters to Newark. The ordinances illustrate the city’s commitment to bring Amazon to Newark, but also apply to any transformative project providing a similar number of jobs and investment.

Amazon must commit to creating at least 30,000 new jobs and create investments of at least $3 billion over a 20-year period to qualify for these incentives. One ordinance authorizes creation of an accelerated process of land-use and permit approvals, and a second enables Amazon to receive a 100 percent payroll tax exemption for employees living in Newark and a 50 percent exemption for all other employees. The total payroll tax exemptions are capped at one billion dollars over the life of the project. A third ordinance creating an additional category of transformative headquarters within the Long-Term Tax Exemption ordinance is also expected to pass.

“The City Council has brought Newark a giant step closer to being Amazon’s choice for HQ2,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka. The creation of 12,500 jobs for Newark residents, the added revenue to Newark families plus the added revenue to the City of Newark, Newark Public Schools and Newark Public Library make HQ2 a game changer in the transformation of our city.”

“I am proud to stand by the strong leadership of Mayor Baraka and all who are speaking in a clear and unified voice that Newark is ready to lead and win the Amazon bid. Let there be no doubt: we are all in this together and Newark will continue to rise as one,” said Governor Phil Murphy.

A third-party independent analysis conducted by the Anderson Economic Group of Chicago concludes that the financial and job benefits of Amazon choosing Newark far exceed the dollar amount of the incentives.  Specifically, The Anderson Economic Group reports that:

●       Upon completion, HQ2 would create at least 12,500 direct and indirect jobs for residents. (Newark averaged about 8,751 unemployed residents in 2017.) HQ2 would also increase Newark household earnings by $1.2 billion annually starting in 2035.

●       Amazon HQ2 locating in Newark would result in more than 135,000 net new direct and indirect jobs in New Jersey. These jobs would increase New Jersey household earnings by $11.4 billion.

●       By 2035, Amazon HQ2 would have an annual net fiscal impact of $113 million on the State of New Jersey. This includes a $599 million net increase in tax revenues and a $487 million increase in service costs.

●       By 2035, Amazon HQ2 would have a combined net fiscal impact of $41 million on the City of Newark, Newark Public Schools, and Newark Public Library, collectively. This includes an $80 million increase in tax revenues and a $40 million increase in service costs.

●       Amazon HQ2 would also have a positive net fiscal benefit on Essex County. By 2035, the annual impact would reach $41.3 million, due to increased PILOT and property tax revenues.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



The Anderson Economic Group, LLc., is based at 20 South Clark Street, in Chicago.




FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Summer

Summer Brew Fest 2025

Friday, July 25, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: community


Click here for full event listing

 

Miss

Miss Republica Dominicana of NJ US - Gala Final

Saturday, July 26, 2025 @ 6:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: community


Click here for full event listing

 

Tyler

Tyler Henry – The Hollywood Medium: An Evening of Hope and Healing

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: community


Click here for full event listing

 

WWE

WWE Late Night Featuring Tony Hinchcliffe

Saturday, August 02, 2025 @ 10:30pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: community


Click here for full event listing

 

More events

Event Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Monmouth

Monmouth County Fair Offers Family Fun

(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- The scent of cotton candy! The thrill of the rides! The cheers from the crowds! There's something magical about the Monmouth County Fair. Find out for yourself when this five-day event celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Wednesday-Sunday, July 23-27, 2025 at East Freehold Showgrounds (Kozloski Road) in Freehold.



Newark

Newark to Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Week July 7-13

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council, the City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Advisory and Concerns Commission, Newark Pride, Inc, and other organizations and partners will hold Newark Pride Week from Monday, July 7, to Sunday, July 13, 2025.



Creativity

Creativity Deep Dive: Class for Adults at Vivid Stage

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, is offering a new creative class especially for adults over the last weekend in July. Creativity Deep Dive, taught by professor and playwright Phoebe Farber, is an opportunity for grown-ups to have the fun of exploring their own imaginations and creative potential. The class is offered from 10:00am-2:00pm on July 26 and 27; lunch will be provided.



Carteret's

Carteret's Civic Center Park Hosts New Jersey's Most Popular Latin Fest on July 26th

(CARTERET, NJ) -- New Jersey's most popular Latin Fest will return on Saturday, July 26, 2025 to Carteret, but this year in a new location: the Borough's accessible Civic Center Park and Sports Complex at 272 Pershing Ave. The venue change is due to ongoing construction improvements to Waterfront Park, the home of Latin Fest since 2018.



Dining

Dining Out Jersey's 5th Annual Foodie Expo features Special Guests David Burke and Produce Pete

(PARAMUS, NJ) -- Dining Out Jersey presents the 5th Annual Dining Out Jersey Foodie Expo on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at The Terrace at Biagio's in Paramus. This year's event will feature special guests David Burke and NBC's Produce Pete.