Raimondo Administration Refuses to Answer Questions About Amazon HQ2 Effort
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Rhode Island is falling behind in the effort to win the greatest economic development prize in history — Amazon’s second headquarters, aka, #HQ2.
While other states are building coalitions, launching hashtags to connect stakeholders and build momentum, the administration of Gina Raimondo seems to be quickly falling behind and refusing to answer any questions about the state's efforts.
Neither the Governor’s office nor Rhode Island Commerce could answer basic questions about the economic development equivalent of a PowerBall jackpot.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe city that wins Amazon’s second headquarters will realize massive economic disruption including 50,000 new jobs, billions in investments, and an economic boon that few cities realize outside of a gold rush.
With 700 retail employees losing their jobs with Friday’s announcement of the closure of the iconic Benny’s chain, one might think the Raimondo administration would be in full motion, but Providence has not made any of the early lists and there is little indication that Rhode Island has any plan, appointed leadership or communication strategy.
Going for Gold - Or Not
When you are competing for the business of Jeff Bezos who is quoted as saying, “One of the only ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your way out," you better have an innovative campaign. With Rhode Island’s economy locked annually as one of the worst places to do business, you might think the Raimondo administration would work to bust out of the status quo.
In response to eleven questions submitted to the Governor’s office and Commerce, GoLocal was told that Commerce would handle the communications. Commerce did not respond to the questions submitted.
“Our team is working on the strategy for on the strategy for the RFP response,” wrote Matt Sheaff, spokesperson for Stefan Pryor in an text message five days after the initial request.
Now, days after Amazon’s announcement business press has been writing non-stop. The New York Times wrote a lengthy analysis titled, "Dear Amazon, We Picked Your New Headquarters for You." It was just one of many business press analyses and short lists created.
Questions submitted by GoLocal to included:
1) Will there be a chair appointed of the effort?
2) Will an outside consultant be brought in to staff this?
3) Will a board of community leaders be brought together?
4) Most cities have already branded their efforts and created a # -- where is the administration on this?
5) Is there a budget?
6) Will the state have a public portal? When?
7) Who will be the spokesperson?
8) Is Rhode Island really serious about going after it? No press conference yesterday, no press release, seemed super disorganized?
9) Why has RI not reached out to the business press - everyone from Bloomberg to Forbes already has short lists and reporters at those places say they have not heard from Providence.
10) Major influencers like Richard Florida is already blitzing away - Providence is not on his list. Is there a strategy here?
11) Is this going to be a public process or the usual?
The Raimondo may have missed the opportunity to jump on 2017's ultimate game changer.
“What we need to do is always lean into the future; when the world changes around you and when it changes against you – what used to be a tail wind is now a head wind – you have to lean into that and figure out what to do because complaining isn’t a strategy,” said Bezos.
Related Slideshow: 7 Reasons Why It’s Smart for Amazon to Select Providence
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