Article content continued

“I have no information on HQ2,” he later told the media.

An Amazon spokesperson added the announcement is separate from the second headquarters plans and there’s no connection between the two.

Still, local leaders hailed the news as a possible leg-up for Metro Vancouver’s bid.

B.C. Premier John Horgan called it “a great day” for the tech sector.

“I believe it’s an opportunity for us to look forward again to other challenges and other opportunities presented by Amazon,” he said at the event.

Metro Vancouver and Langford, B.C., have submitted bids for Amazon’s new headquarters.

The premier touted the province’s post-secondary institutions and diversity as a big draw.

Mayor Gregor Robertson also hinted at an expanding relationship with the tech firm.

“We are thrilled to be an important city on Amazon’s world map and even more so going forward,” he said.

Robertson later told the media every job Amazon creates in Vancouver boosts its chances of future growth and the city’s strong partnership with the company is an advantage.

“Many other cities competing don’t have any Amazon jobs, and we now have thousands,” he said.

Robertson acknowledged absorbing the company’s second headquarters — along with up to 50,000 new, high-paying jobs it promises — could be challenging, but noted the US$5-billion investment would come in phases spread out over several years giving the winning city time to prepare adequately.

Vancouver would have to continue to increase its housing supply, invest in its transit system and boost its education system, particularly the number of STEM graduates, he said.

Amazon said earlier this month it received 238 proposals from North American cities and regions for the company’s US$5-billion second headquarters, which would bring 50,000 new, high-paying jobs along with it.

In addition to the two B.C. hopefuls, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Calgary and several others submitted proposals earlier this month.