Amazon to New York: It\'s Not Me\, It\'s You

Amazon to New York: It’s Not Me, It’s You

Community’s willingness to embrace a firm is often what clinches the deal for big companies seeking to expand in new locations

The list that Amazon.com Inc. sent to cities vying for its second headquarters a year and a half ago included the obvious stuff. Needs included a robust pipeline for tech workers, tax breaks, good real estate.

Not explicitly on the list: Love.

When a company runs a high-profile hunt for the site of a new headquarters, plant or research hub,...