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Amazon is now going to split its HQ2 into 2 locations after more than a year of intense speculation. Here’s everything that has happened in the saga up until now. (AMZN)

The 14-month process, during which Amazon laid out its expectations for potential new home cities, sent city governments scrambling to outdo each other and woo the retailer.

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It's been 14 months since Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, declared its intention to build a second headquarters. Founded in Seattle some 23 years earlier, Amazon said it had gotten so big that it needed a second home base in another city.

The company's year-long selection process had a decidedly sweepstakes-like feel to it. Amazon laid out its expectations for what it wanted in a second hometown and promised a bonanza of 50,000 jobs and a $5 billion investment to whichever lucky city it picked.

City governments and officials scrambled to outdo each other and woo the online retailer, dangling tax breaks, exemptions of all types and even promises to change their names.

Now, Amazon has zeroed in on New York City and Virginia— and "HQ2" will actually be two separate offices. The move has left a sour taste with some people who accuse Amazon of having deviously gamed the system.

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Here's a look at the sequence of events during Amazon's controversial "HQ2" adventure, and the strange spectacle that Amazon whipped up in the process.

Amazon's current and first headquarters is located in Seattle, Washington. Around 45,000 workers are employed there.

In 2017, Amazon announced that it was searching for a location for its second headquarters.

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The retailer said its new headquarters would come with 50,000 new jobs and a $5 billion investment in the new home city.

Along with the announcement, Amazon listed out its expectations for cities that were applying. It asked for "incentives" like tax breaks and exemptions, and fee reductions.

Here are some additional requirements that Amazon laid out:

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Dozens of cities began submitting proposals to Amazon, each trying to outdo the others and woo Amazon with its promises.

Amazon said it received Here are some examples of the proposals that were sent to Amazon:

  • Raleigh, North Carolina:
  • Denver, Colorado:
  • Los Angeles, California:
  • Atlanta, Georgia:
  • Chicago, Illinois:
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
  • Columbus, Ohio:
  • 15-year, 100% property-tax abatement at every site included in HQ2, a refund of 35% on income-tax withholdings from new full-time hires. These would add up to $2.3 billion in incentives.
  • Newark, New Jersey:
  • Montgomery County, Maryland:

By December 2017, Amazon had narrowed its list down to 20 cities.

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With the list narrowed down, people began to speculate which cities were most likely to be chosen by the retail giant.

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  • analysts considered Atlanta, Georgia
  • $23 million mansion
  • New York City
  • predicted the top-five contenders
  • economists and housing experts
  • analyst who predicted Amazon would buy Whole Foods

On Tuesday, November 13, Amazon announced plans to build offices in two cities instead of one: New York City, and Arlington, Virginia.

Its second "headquarters" will actually be two offices in Long Island City, Queens, and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia. This announcement concluded the year-long search for a new headquarters location.

Virginia had been seen as a likely choice for a while, but New York came as a bit of a surprise.

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Northern Virginia has been called the

To some, Amazon's decision to split its second "headquarters" between two cities is a sign that the retailer just wanted to game the system and get the most attractive incentive package by making cities compete heavily against each other.

"If Amazon is able to get away with essentially robbing Virginia and New York of millions of dollars in tax revenue and not even offering up in return what it originally promised, what else is it capable of?" writes Business Insider's Dennis Green.

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Although city officials were jumping over each other to be chosen by Amazon, things might not necessarily be so great for the residents of the future HQ2 location.

  • Rent could skyrocket.
  • Traffic could get worse
  • public transit
  • Local businesses
  • Heavy gentrification
  • The massive tax exemptions

In addition to the two HQ2 locations, Amazon plans to build an "Operations Center of Excellence" in Nashville, Tennessee as a consolation prize. This location will handle "customer fulfillment, customer service, transportation, and supply chain," according to Amazon.

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The $230 million investment will add 5,000 new jobs, Amazon said. The Nashville mayor's office called the agreement "

Not everyone is happy with Amazon's decision, however.

Some tech leaders voiced their disapproval with Amazon and CEO Jeff Bezos — one leader called the tax breaks and incentives

Additionally, newly-elected congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other NYC politicians said they're concerned with Amazon's upcoming development in the city, citing the tax incentives and potential housing price hikes.

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Amazon's Virginia development will be located in Crystal City — but the retailer, and its voice assistant Alexa, strangely refer to the area as "National Landing."

Amazon seems to already be rebranding the home of half of its new headquarters by naming it "National Landing." Locals only know the area as Crystal City, and some are confused by Amazon's choice.

Even Amazon's voice assistant Alexa is onboard, and has already begun referring to the location as "National Landing."

The tax incentives seemingly weren't enough for Amazon, however. The retailer is requiring New York and Virginia to assist the company in getting federal approval for helipads at both locations.

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Amazon said it will pay for the helipads itself, but is making local governments assist in the approval process as part of the agreement both parties signed.

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