Watchdog group warns safeguards needed while city lures Amazon

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cities across North America will put their best offer forward in one week to lure in Amazon.

The retail giant is setting up a second headquarters investing over $5 billion wherever they land.

A watchdog group said not everything Amazon brings will be good.

It's competition crunch time for Amazon's second headquarters and $50,000 jobs.

Charlotte Regional Partnership CEO Ronnie Bryant leads the pitch to pick Charlotte.

“We have 22 sites in five different counties,” Bryant said.

He didn’t specify locations -- only that they're in Mecklenburg, York, Cabarrus, Iredell and Gaston counties.

The CRP launched a social media campaign, #CLTisPrime, and just declared Oct. 18 Charlotte is Prime Day.

“Send the message to Amazon, that we want you, we welcome you here,” Bryant said.

Greg LeRoy with the watchdog group Good Jobs First worries Amazon could seek property and sales taxes incentives, plus the possibility of keeping employee income taxes.

“In 16 states, its legal in some case for some companies to effectively keep some of their employees' state personal income taxes,” LeRoy said.

He warns the cost of living could rise significantly, and said cities should request safeguards in return, like local workers getting the first shot at Amazon jobs.

“So that you maximize the benefit to people who are here now, and paying taxes all these years,” LeRoy said.

Bryant calls Charlotte's proposal fiscally responsible.

“We will do the right thing to protect taxpayers dollars,” he said.

Bryant said they hope to hear around Dec. 1 if Charlotte made the cut fore the short list of cities being considered.

Then, they'd get the chance to meet Amazon executives face-to-face for another presentation.

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