TO: countyboard@arlingtonva.us
BCC: advocacy@arlingtonchamber.org
SUBJECT: Please support the Amazon performance agreement
Arlington County Board
2100 Clarendon Boulevard
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
Dear Chair Dorsey,
As a member of the Arlington hospitality community, I am writing to encourage the Arlington County Board to approve the County’s performance agreement with Amazon for their new headquarters. Approving this agreement is a powerful statement that Arlington is open for business. Amazon’s headquarters will make Arlington’s economy stronger and more diverse. Approving the performance agreement is also a positive signal that local government supports the growth and success of businesses.
The planned Amazon headquarters will strengthen and diversify Arlington’s economy. The job losses from BRAC and sequestration, and the uncertainty of the recent shutdown have shown that we cannot rely on the Federal government alone for our prosperity. Amazon’s commitment to Arlington will provide us with balance, and the continued Federal presence means that Amazon will be one of many in a robust business community. Adding business diversity will strengthen our local economy.
Arlington’s hospitality sector stands to be a particular beneficiary of Amazon’s headquarters. Business with Amazon accounted for more than 300,000 hotel room-nights in Seattle in 2017, and we anticipate hotel stay increases here from Amazon-related travel. Additionally, the funding for Arlington’s direct incentives to Amazon will be taken from a fraction of the growth of the Transient Occupancy Tax. As the Transient Occupancy Tax is a tax on hotel room stays, Amazon’s receiving the incentive payments depends on businesses like mine growing alongside it, leading to more employment opportunity in the hospitality sector.
The Amazon headquarters provides a framework for fulfilling our plans for Arlington’s future. Challenges such as housing affordability, education, and transportation now have increased attention from the community, as well as additional dedicated resources. The General Assembly has committed funding for these priorities, with Arlington County dedicating additional funds. More economic activity in Arlington means a greater tax base, which the local government can put to work to meet to our community’s needs.
Amazon’s headquarters will strengthen our economy and promote success for our entire community. I encourage the County Board to approve the performance agreement for the Amazon headquarters, and look forward to welcoming Amazon to Arlington.
Sincerely,
NAME
HOTEL
CC: County Board Vice Chair Libby Garvey, County Board Member Katie Cristol, County Board Member Matt de Ferranti, County Board Member Erik Gutshall
BCC: advocacy@arlingtonchamber.org
SUBJECT: Please support the Amazon performance agreement
Arlington County Board
2100 Clarendon Boulevard
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
Dear Chair Dorsey,
As a member of the Arlington hospitality community, I am writing to encourage the Arlington County Board to approve the County’s performance agreement with Amazon for their new headquarters. Approving this agreement is a powerful statement that Arlington is open for business. Amazon’s headquarters will make Arlington’s economy stronger and more diverse. Approving the performance agreement is also a positive signal that local government supports the growth and success of businesses.
The planned Amazon headquarters will strengthen and diversify Arlington’s economy. The job losses from BRAC and sequestration, and the uncertainty of the recent shutdown have shown that we cannot rely on the Federal government alone for our prosperity. Amazon’s commitment to Arlington will provide us with balance, and the continued Federal presence means that Amazon will be one of many in a robust business community. Adding business diversity will strengthen our local economy.
Arlington’s hospitality sector stands to be a particular beneficiary of Amazon’s headquarters. Business with Amazon accounted for more than 300,000 hotel room-nights in Seattle in 2017, and we anticipate hotel stay increases here from Amazon-related travel. Additionally, the funding for Arlington’s direct incentives to Amazon will be taken from a fraction of the growth of the Transient Occupancy Tax. As the Transient Occupancy Tax is a tax on hotel room stays, Amazon’s receiving the incentive payments depends on businesses like mine growing alongside it, leading to more employment opportunity in the hospitality sector.
The Amazon headquarters provides a framework for fulfilling our plans for Arlington’s future. Challenges such as housing affordability, education, and transportation now have increased attention from the community, as well as additional dedicated resources. The General Assembly has committed funding for these priorities, with Arlington County dedicating additional funds. More economic activity in Arlington means a greater tax base, which the local government can put to work to meet to our community’s needs.
Amazon’s headquarters will strengthen our economy and promote success for our entire community. I encourage the County Board to approve the performance agreement for the Amazon headquarters, and look forward to welcoming Amazon to Arlington.
Sincerely,
NAME
HOTEL
CC: County Board Vice Chair Libby Garvey, County Board Member Katie Cristol, County Board Member Matt de Ferranti, County Board Member Erik Gutshall
