Three months after submitting a super secret closed bid to bring the world's largest internet retailer to the city's doorstep in Port Covington, Baltimore is left wondering why it came up short.
"We may never know what the factors were as it relates to the Amazon decision,” said Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, “What I'm saying is we continue to put our best foot forward and whatever the next opportunity is, we'll be right there for it."
It is a positive spin on a failed bid to become one of 20 out of 238 cities still in the running to attract Amazon HQ2 with its tens of thousands of jobs, 8 million square feet in office space and a pledge to spend 5 billion dollars on capital investment.
Still, business leaders aren't second-guessing the city's effort.
"Talked about our highly-trained and educated workforce, talked about a great location, talked about the private sector investment that's taking place," said Don Fry of the Greater Baltimore Committee.
"Disappointment is the right word,” said Bill Cole of the Baltimore Development Corporation, “We will use the collaboration that we put forth in this effort to push all opportunities in the future."
Opportunities like the world's largest information technology company, Apple, which is following Amazon's lead by opening up competition for a future home to yet another headquarters for it as well.
This one comes with the promise of 20,000 jobs.
"Apple is looking,” said Pugh, “Whomever is out there looking for a great city to locate in, we'll be preparing a proposal for them as well."
To remain competitive in the bid to bring other companies here, city leaders aren't discussing exactly what was offered in their closed bid to Amazon, but they're confident they won't have to sweeten the deal.
