Target CEO Brian Cornell said he's appreciative that Gov. Mark Dayton reached out to let him know about the approach the state would take in its pitch to lure Amazon's second headquarters.
Cornell made the comments during a media briefing with reporters in New York at the retailer's new Herald Square store set to open Friday.
Dayton told reporters a month ago that he spoke to Cornell and the CEO of Best Buy and that both expressed concern about using tax dollars to attract Amazon, arguably both retailers' largest competitor.
"I want to continue to see great economic prosperity in the area, but I want to make sure our tax dollars are properly deployed," Cornell said Thursday, noting that he's a Minneapolis resident. "On behalf of our shareholders, I want to make sure we get the same benefits as any other company."
When asked how he would feel if the Twin Cities landed Amazon's second headquarters, Cornell said he's focused on Target.
While other states are preparing incentive packages worth $1 billion or more to attract Amazon's second headquarters, Minnesota officials confirmed this week that the state's bid spells out incentives of $3 million from existing programs.
Dayton said Tuesday that Minnesota deliberately focused on Minnesota's workforce, educational opportunities and transportation systems.
The bids for the second headquarters, which could one day employ 50,000 people, were due to Seattle-based Amazon on Thursday.
Kavita Kumar • 612-673-4113
