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Business Expert: New Jersey's $5 Billion Tax Break Offer Makes Bid For HQ2 In Newark Viable

NEWARK, NJ (CBS) -- New Jersey is now committed to $5 billion in tax incentives in an effort to lure Amazon's planned second corporate headquarters to Newark.

Will that make the Garden State's bid successful?

That $5 billion is the lion's share of a $7 billion tax break package that could lure 30,000 to 50,000 jobs to wherever HQ2 winds up.

Lyneir Richardson, with the Rutgers Business School in Newark, calls it a "beauty contest" involving over 200 bids from across North America (including Philadelphia and Camden), many of them far less discussed in public.

Lyneir Richardson Rutgers-Newark
Lyneir Richardson with the Rutgers Business School in Newark. (credit: Rutgers Business School-Newark)

He suggests Newark might have a bit of an advantage, given Amazon already has a major presence there.

"That's Audible.com, and they have been a leading both corporate citizen and pro-active in Newark's revitalization. So there's some good precedent for Amazon seeing Newark as a possible home," Richardson told KYW Newsradio.

Gov. Chris Christie has signed a measure guaranteeing the state's commitment, but what about his successor, Phil Murphy?

"Once the new governor is briefed and really understands, I believe it's something the new governor would support because of all the economic benefit developments over time," Richardson added.

Amazon expects to make its decision sometime this year.

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