Ward 3 councillor Matthew Shoemaker will present an idea to council on Monday that will get some heads spinning.

Shoemaker wants the twin Soo’s to host Amazon’s second headquarters.

Amazon announced it is looking for a home that has at least 100 acres for a 500,000 sq foot building.

Several bigger centres have already started to get Amazon’s attention but Shoemaker thinks the Sault would be the perfect spot for Amazon and the hundreds of jobs that come with it.

Shoemaker made the announcement on Facebook Friday morning, Here’s what he posted.

Amazon is looking for a City to host their 2nd headquarters. I’ve got a better idea for them: Twin Cities that share the same name, an international border, and lots of other advantages. Of course, I’m taking about the Twin Saults. It might seem crazy at first, but here are some reasons why it works:

Amazon wants a 100+ acre site for a 500,000 + sq. ft. building – ✓ – Innovation Centre has identified 4 sites that fit the bill in Sault Ontario.

Amazon wants access to major highways – ✓ – the Twin Saults offer access to the Trans-Canada Highway and the I-75 and entire US interstate system.

Amazon wants to be near an airport – ✓ – How about 2 airports? One on each side of the border that can bring you to Toronto then anywhere, or Detroit then anywhere.

Amazon wants access to mass transit – ✓ – If they build in the Sault, we’ll bring Sault Transit to them.

Amazon wants access to population centre – ✓ – As with the airports, we are a quick 1-hour flight from Toronto and Detroit. People will come to Amazon.

Amazon wants transportation availability – ✓ – Can’t beat the Twin Saults here, access to rail in Canada and the US, access to Great Lakes shipping that can reach 40 million North Americans.

Amazon wants access to labour force – ✓ – Sault College, Algoma University and Lake Superior State University can train the workforce of Amazon’s future.

Amazon wants quality of life – ✓✓✓✓ – the Twin Saults cannot be beat in this category. Agawa Canyon, Soo Locks Boat Tours, Skiing, Hiking, Snowmobiling, Boating, Swimming, Kayaking, Camping, Beaches in every direction, Provincial and State Parks surrounding us, Hub Trail, Pump Track, Skating Rinks and so much more!

Amazon likes sustainability – ✓ – we’ve got the greenest energy around, solar, wind and hydro. We’re the Alternative Energy Capital of North America, we have less power outages than elsewhere in Ontario. When the power does go out, it comes back on quicker than the rest of Ontario.

Other factors we have going for us:

Affordability – Want a house in Sault Ontario? That’ll be $200,000 (Canadian). Want a house in Sault Michigan? That’ll be $75,000 (US).

Environment – No hurricanes, no tornados, no wildfires, no rising sea levels. We are shielded from extreme weather (sometimes we have to shovel a fair bit).

We are already the Headquarters for the OLG, and it generates $2 Billion per year in net revenue.

These are just some of the reasons why Amazon should be in the Twin Saults. A full package will be put together to submit to them if Council passes my motion on Monday.

What do you think of Shoemaker’s idea? sound off in the comment section below!