Local

Amazon Possibly Scouting Atlanta to Create Tech Center

By ABS Contributor | Published on February 25, 2013

Georgia submitted a 35-acre site in a mixed-used development near Kennesaw in hopes of luring a $500 million to $600 million technology operation to metro Atlanta, Atlanta Business Chronicle has learned.

The undisclosed company is said to be looking for a “campus-like site” and would initially create about 100 jobs. Based on the investment, the project could include a data center.

The company could be Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), which might be scouting Atlanta for a technology center. The e-commerce behemoth is said to be considering Cobb County and Buckhead and could initially employ more than 100 tech workers.

A call to Amazon on Wednesday was not returned. The Georgia Department of Economic Development declined comment.

If Amazon puts the development center in Atlanta, it would be the latest such software operation.

In January, General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced plans to open a technology center in Roswell, where it will employ about 1,000. Meanwhile, AirWatch will expand its Sandy Springs software development center by more than 700.

The state has reached a deal with Amazon that would require it to charge taxes to Georgia customers. However, it is not clear when Amazon will tack on the tax.

According to a Georgia law that took effect Oct. 1, online retailers are required to start charging sales tax to Georgia customers.

Amazon’s interest in Cobb may be related to subsidiary Fabric.com, which is based in Kennesaw. Amazon acquired the online fabric store in 2008.

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