General Business Updates and News

[tomh009]

Unfortunately the final proposal did not include anywhere in the Region as a potential Amazon site. They name-dropped University of Waterloo but that's about it.

And a little box about Stephen Lake and Thalmic Labs.

It's a nice presentation, and Jeff Bezos might like a lot of it, but I expect US cities will have far bigger incentives on offer.

[Viewfromthe42]

Chicago just offered ~$3B in tax breaks, so yes. That said, fundamentally, why do you move to a second headquarters? Tech workers are notoriously mobile, so even anywhere in the states, let alone established tech hubs, doesn't open up the most new opportunities. You're almost opening up more avenues by taking advantage of Canadian immigration laws were you to choose Vancouver than new avenues in NYC or Florida.

[Markster]

I think it's pretty clear that the Toronto bid is one centred around a platform of sound fiscal management and infrastructure investment (and with a soft undercurrent of "stable political environment").  "We aren't going to bribe you, but that also means we're not going to bribe the next company and ruin our finances."

It's a decent option to have on the table.  If Amazon needs bribes, then there's New Jersey for that.

[panamaniac]

No doubt it's a long-shot, but what the hell!

'No doubt:' Waterloo Region to join Toronto in bid for Amazon HQ

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kitch...-1.4289838

Unfortunately the final proposal did not include anywhere in the Region as a potential Amazon site. They name-dropped University of Waterloo but that's about it.

https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/to...RFP_PD.pdf

Mind you, a site in Milton might help fast-track improved GO service on the Milton line. The effects would reach Cambridge a lot faster.

It was never the intention to propose a site in the Region.  The Region is supporting a bid for a GTA location.

[darts]

Chicago just offered ~$3B in tax breaks, so yes. That said, fundamentally, why do you move to a second headquarters? Tech workers are notoriously mobile, so even anywhere in the states, let alone established tech hubs, doesn't open up the most new opportunities. You're almost opening up more avenues by taking advantage of Canadian immigration laws were you to choose Vancouver than new avenues in NYC or Florida.

I didn't see any mention in toronto's proposal for money, in the end it looked like that was what Amazon was looking for as long as they didn't have to locate in Gary Indiana.

[tomh009]

I didn't see any mention in toronto's proposal for money, in the end it looked like that was what Amazon was looking for as long as they didn't have to locate in Gary Indiana.

I suspect so, too, but there is a chance other factors are more important.  We'll find out soon enough.

[DHLawrence]

Toronto's only offering money for education. No tax cuts, no bribes (at least no that they're willing to admit publicly).

[panamaniac]

Toronto's only offering money for education. No tax cuts, no bribes (at least no that they're willing to admit publicly).

The usual provincial (and federal, one assumes) foreign investor supports would be available.  The amounts for something of this scale would not be insignificant.

[Pheidippides]

New signage going up for shopify:
   

[rangersfan]

I guess this somewhat old news ( but new to me) CareHawk moved to a purpose built location in May 2016. Small article about it linked below.

https://www.google.ca/url?q=http://www.i...hWsi5sE8QP

[rangersfan]

According to a report released by CBRE Waterloo Region is home to the fastest growing tech sector in Canada.

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/mobile/water...-1.3691156

[rangersfan]

Carproof Corp is opening an innovation lab at the Communitech hub, starting with 15 employees here. Sounds like they received incredibly strong response to employment opportunities in the region.

http://news.communitech.ca/news/putting-...-director/

[rangersfan]

DESCH Canada Cambridge is planning a $12.6 million dollar expansion and the Ontario government is chipping in $1 million. The expansion is expected to bring 30 new jobs to city in addition to retaining the 35 employees at their Cambridge location.

[DHLawrence]

Toronto is the only Canadian city still in the running for Amazon HQ2.

[tomh009]

Toronto is the only Canadian city still in the running for Amazon HQ2.

Made the short list of 20, maybe even the top 10. But the oddsmakers don't see Toronto as a favourite, it's somewhere between 10:1 and 15:1.