© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Documents Detail Detroit's Pitch for New Amazon HQ

Detroit Water Front
Reginald Hardwick
/
WKAR Public Media

Documents say the state of Michigan offered to let Amazon operate in Detroit with extensive tax breaks for three decades as part of the Motor City's pitch for the online retail giant's second headquarters.

Crain's Detroit Business reports it obtained a nine-page executive summary and 242-page spiral-bound book that was delivered in October to Seattle-based Amazon.

Crain's says Michigan also offered to capture employees' state income taxes for 20 years as incentives while promising to create a $120 million program to help meet Amazon's workforce needs.

Businessman and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was tabbed by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to put together the city and region's proposal. Details weren't previously released. 

At stake are the potential for billions of dollars in investment and the promise of 50,000 jobs.

Related Content
Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.