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DrixxYBoat t1_j14tgo6 wrote

It's insane to me how hard people sleep on Newark.

Objectively, this city has some of the greatest potential nationwide.

A. International Airport

B. Largest Port in the East

C. 3 Major College Campuses + Several Smaller Colleges

D. 20 Flipping minutes from NYC

E. 2 Train Stations

F. Light rail infrastructure + unused light rail stations

G. Bus Terminal = Buses Everywhere

H. Performing Arts Center

I. Several Magnet High Schools

J. NJ Devils + Prudential Center

Like we don't even need to focus on the business aspects of Newark to understand that there's serious demand for development in a city like this.

I mean Jesus Christ if you removed the black population and replaced us all with white people, Newark would be labeled as the #1 most desirable place to build in the nation.

Man. I hate how I have to actively wait for things to get built!!! I want to see this city realize it's freaking potential already.

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mjdlight t1_j1526ri wrote

For 9 years, I worked at the Apple Store in the Willowbrook Mall, where I interacted with many thousands of people from every corner of New Jersey, and the world. I helped nuns, convicted felons, celebrities, pro athletes, and even a Real Housewife of NJ or two. And I can say, without any hesitation, that my favorite customers were Black customers from Newark. Funny, friendly, and chill.

Newark has, as you point out, so much going for it. And contrary to what so many people inside and outside of NJ think, Newark’s people are the top asset.

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crustang t1_j16hugu wrote

Newark should have gotten Amazon HQ2

But now that the whole, deadly global pandemic thing happened.. it’s probably for the best it didn’t happen

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Juicey_J_Hammerman t1_j18swlo wrote

I think that Amazon always intended to go to NY and DC unless some absolutely ridiculous deal they couldn't refuse showed up at the 11th hour but wanted to bring some competition into the fold for incentives/tax breaks.

Good news for Newark is that the city still benefited from that competition regardless since they were one of the top 10 "finalists" announced by Amazon. Reps for the city said they received a noticeable increase in developers/companies inquiring about potential projects/relocations into the city following that announcement.

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Newarkguy1836 t1_j1dles3 wrote

I agree with you there. Amazon from the get-go was going to Arlington Virginia. This entire hq2 thing was a scam, US charade to pick desperate cities against each other to see who could offer the most ridiculous tax incentives. We all know Newark won that contest. No other city in America was able to match what New Jersey offered on behalf of Newark. But the whole hq2 thing was a farce to see if Arlington Virginia would match the lowest offer. That's exactly what happened! Even though the Arlington Virginia deal was inferior to newark's, Amazon chose Arlington anyway. To save face, they decided to split it between NYC and Arlington VA. Of course the reality, they wanted everything in Virginia. That's why they were so quick to bolt as soon as New York congresswoman AOC complained about the NYC offer.

But Newark screwed up big time with Amazon when they caved in to a bunch of leftist protesters against an airport warehouse for Amazon. I'm sure Newark is now on Jeff Bezos no go list.

Don't be surprised if he pulls audible out of Newark eventually. You don't become a billionaire by being nice. These people are vindictive and sometimes, even evil and dangerous.

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effort268 t1_j18ww4l wrote

Amazon already knew where they were going. Companies follow tech talent, not the other way around.

Source/: did Recruiting at Audible in Newark

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Kalebxtentacion t1_j1a4hi3 wrote

Yeah imagine if all those office towers were completed and ready for workers just to get shut down for 2 years with remote working. Man it would had been a waste and probably another empty tower in the skyline

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Newarkguy1836 t1_j1dm2c6 wrote

I don't know, Amazon is currently building their hq2 in Virginia.

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