Detroit did not make the cut for Amazon's second headquarters, but Mayor Mike Duggan is still proud.

"We would have loved to have made it into the next round for Amazon's second headquarters, but everyone here is incredibly proud of the proposal we submitted," Duggan said in a statement Thursday after not being listed among 20 cities still being considered.

"It showed a clear vision for the future of our city and brought out the very best of our city and our region."

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans noted that the region's weak public transit may have been a significant reason the e-commerce passed on Detroit.

"This Amazon bid presented an opportunity to come together as a region and pitch what we collectively have to offer. We put together an impressive bid that will serve us well as we continue to attract investment and talent. Five years ago, I'm not sure we would have even been in the conversation, which speaks to the good things going on and the assets we have," Evans said in a statement.

"But one of the places we fell short in this bid was transit, it wasn't the only reason, but a significant one. The true missed opportunity here would be to let this moment pass without finally putting together a comprehensive regional transit system for all the social and economic reasons we need it. That's the opportunity before us--getting transit right."

Voters in 2016 rejected a $4.6 billion proposal to overhaul the region's public transit system.

And after opening warehouses in Metro Detroit last year, Amazon questioned leaders in Romulus and Livonia about transportation options for workers.

Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert spearheaded Detroit's Amazon bid with a team of about 59 people, including a partnership with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. Duggan previously said the Detroit-Windsor partnership made the bid more attractive.

"We learned a great deal from this process and it was a very valuable experience. We're going to keep building on the progress we've made and keep pursuing major developments," Duggan said.

"I expect that the lessons we learned in the Amazon process will help make us more successful on a number of other major potential investments that we are currently pursuing."

Gilbert, who owns nearly 100 properties in Detroit and is one of the city's prominent real estate developers aiming to shape the city's economic comeback, offered to house the e-commerce giant in his downtown properties, even if it meant moving around thousands of current workers.

He said Thursday morning that he and his team are disappointed in Amazon's decision to leave Detroit out of the top 20 contenders, but that his development projects will continue, full-throttle.

"We are not deterred in any way, shape or form," Gilbert said. "Detroit is the most exciting city in the country right now and the momentum continues to build every single day.

"All you have to do is spend an hour walking around town and you will have a very clear and deep understanding of the opportunities, optimism and future of the motor city."

Gov. Rick Snyder also expressed disappointment in the decision, but sees a positive future for Michigan.

"We are a top 10 state and we will continue driving to be the best in the nation. There is no limit to what Michiganders can do, and this proposal demonstrated exactly how we can marshal our resources and collaborate," Snyder said. "Throughout the process of putting together this bid, we learned our greatest strengths and identified areas where we can improve. Now we are even more ready for the next big prospect."

"Michigan's spirit is unstoppable, and so is our comeback. This won't set us back - we're accelerating to the next opportunity. We know it's out there."

Disappointed that @amazon chose mostly big name, already-thriving cities instead of opting to make a huge difference in #Detroit's comeback. @cavsdan did an amazing job putting our pitch together and has our thanks. Maybe @Apple will make the right choice. #AmazonHQ2 #AppleHQ2 — HistoricDetroit.org (@HistoricDET) January 18, 2018

I am surprised by @amazon saying they wanted to help rebuild a city for their #HQ2 but not to put one on their shortened list, that needed their help! Such as Detroit is a shame! I thought they could have really made a difference or an major impact! — Manoj Manwani (@manny32fresh) January 18, 2018