Harrisburg chamber unveils Amazon landing page, recruitment video

A new webpage released by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corp. (CREDC) gives viewers a glimpse into how the agency promoted Dauphin County to Amazon.com officials in their bid to land the online retailer’s second corporate headquarters.

The page includes video taken by a drone flying over the former Harrisburg State Hospital site, overlaid with images of how a potential Amazon campus would look on the property. It also includes videos spotlighting Penn State University, Harrisburg International Airport, the region’s recent Rise of the Rest efforts, and glimpses of life in the region.

“We’re proud of the work we have done as a region, developing a creative and competitive proposal that highlights our pro-business climate, dynamic and diverse workforce, and unrivaled quality of life,” chamber President and CEO Dave Black said. “We make a strong case for Central PA as the new headquarters of Amazon.”

Chamber officials last week sent a 140-page proposal to Amazon to bring HQ2 to the former Harrisburg State Hospital site off Cameron Street, which straddles Harrisburg and Susquehanna Township.

Amazon received 238 submissions for the project, according to its blog, from 54 states, provinces, districts and territories across North America. All, like Harrisburg, are vying for the chance to snag $5 billion in investment and 50,000 new jobs.

What are the region’s chances against such a broad field of competitors? An Irish bookmaker didn’t even list Harrisburg in cities worth a wager.

Chamber officials remain undaunted, and are encouraging people living and working in the midstate to share the website link, particularly to any contacts in the Seattle area.

They also honed in on workforce and education assets in the region.

In a message to chamber members, Black said “Penn State provided great information for the HBG|HQ2 response, and along with other regional colleges and universities, provides the talent pipeline to fill Amazon jobs of the future.

The videos were scheduled to be presented in public this morning at a Dauphin County commissioners’ meeting.