Officials prepare proposal to lure 2nd Amazon HQ to Nevada

What are Nevada’s chances of getting Amazon’s second headquarters?

“We’re not a sportsbook on economic development projects,” Steve Hill, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, joked Tuesday.

Only Amazon knows the answer.

Regardless, Hill said his team is working with roughly 15 other state entities to prepare a package in response to Amazon’s request for proposals for what the tech giant is calling Amazon HQ2.

Amazon plans to invest $5 billion in construction and operation for its location and expects to hire as many as 50,000 full-time workers.

Asked whether the state is drooling over those job figures, Hill joked that it’s important to “keep the drool in your mouth” during the negotiation process.

“I would love to have Amazon here, and 50,000 jobs is hugely significant,” Hill said. “But when you’re going through the process you don’t fall in love with the deal.”

Nevada has until Oct. 19 to submit its proposal to Amazon to lure the tech giant to Nevada for its second headquarters.

“Amazon has expressed that they really like Nevada,” Hill said, adding that Amazon will continue to grow in Nevada with or without its second headquarters here.

Contact Nicole Raz at nraz@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512. Follow @JournalistNikki on Twitter.