BUFFALO, N.Y. — Amazon says it will not be building a new headquarters in New York, a stunning reversal after a yearlong search.
The online retailer has faced opposition from some New York politicians, who were unhappy with the tax incentives Amazon was promised.
Amazon said Thursday it does not plan to look for another location, and will continue to build out offices in Arlington, Virginia, and Nashville, Tennessee.
The billions of dollars in tax incentives that Amazon was awarded stirred a backlash from a number of activists.
Deborah Axt, the co-executive director of anti-poverty group Make the Road New York, called Amazon's withdrawal a "landmark victory."
"This announcement ... shows the power of the people, even when taking on the world's richest man," Axt said. "Our members and allies stood firm against Governor Cuomo's plan to give away more than $3 billion in taxpayer giveaways so that Amazon could force its empire-building on our neighborhoods.
The headquarters would have created at least 25,000, but the opposition centered around the $3 billion in state and city tax breaks that were part of the deal to bring the company here.
The reactions went a few directions. Governor Cuomo blamed a small group of State Senators for doing quote "tremendous damage" to an economic opportunity.
Critics of the deal have called today a sign that Amazon was here just to "shake down" the state for money.
And others, including senator Rob Ortt of Niagara County, say the deal falling through is a sign of the anti-business climate in New York State.
And Invest Buffalo Niagara issued a statement, saying in part, "Regardless of outcome, a compelling case was made to Amazon leadership illustrating why New York State was an excellent expansion opportunity for the company."