Pittsburgh, Peduto already working on bid for Amazon's 2nd HQ

With a potentially transformative deal with

on the horizon, there's no shortage of confidence in Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

"I think this is right in our sweet spot for Pittsburgh,” he told Channel 11 on Thursday, after the tech giant announced it is looking for a second headquarters.

The company plans to make a $5 billion investment and bring 50,000 jobs to a new city.

"We expect HQ2 to be a full equal to our Seattle headquarters,” founder Jeff Bezos said

“Amazon HQ2 will bring billions of dollars in upfront and ongoing investments, and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. We're excited to find a second home.”

A home Fitzgerald says the greater Pittsburgh area is uniquely qualified to provide, with the success of technology companies like Uber and large-scale deals like the Shell cracker plant.

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"We have been growing jobs and we've been doing very well, but this would take Pittsburgh's growth, which is continuing on the upswing, to another level,” he said.

Mayor Bill Peduto’s office says it’s already been working with Fitzgerald and other stakeholders to begin planning, with strategy sessions already scheduled.

"With an unmatched portfolio of technological talent and intriguing development parcels, Pittsburgh is uniquely positioned to submit a winning bid for Amazon's facility. This is a transformational opportunity unlike any that we've ever seen," Peduto said in a news release.

Pittsburgh will reportedly be competing with at least half a dozen other cities - including Chicago, Houston, Boston and Philadelphia - meaning it could take major incentives to attract Amazon.

But Fitzgerald says that's not scaring anyone away.

"It will probably take some significant investments,” he said. “But when you're talking about 50,000 jobs and the economic impact this will have, it's something we'll be willing to do."

Cox Media Group