UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. is asking for collaboration between e-commerce company Amazon and the county’s drone test site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome.
Seattle, Washington–based Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) chose the Long Island City section of Queens as one of two locations for its second headquarters. The second site is in Northern Virginia.
In letters to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, Picente urged the leaders to help facilitate a partnership between Amazon’s “downstate interests” and upstate communities, noting Oneida County’s drone research and development.
“In Oneida County there is a natural fit that I believe must be explored between all parties,” Picente said in the letter forwarded to media outlets. “Amazon has been clear they intend to be a leader in developing an unmanned aerial-vehicle fleet that would revolutionize package delivery. The best place in the nation to do just that is in the city of Rome.”
Picente wrote that he believes Upstate has “strong pieces” through which Amazon can work with the region and its universities “to achieve win-win investments” for Upstate communities and the company.
“Areas such as research and development, job training, a commitment to hire upstate workers and bringing more fulfillment center to upstate, just to name a few,” per the letter.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com