Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Community Benefits Agreement

Community Benefits Agreement

  • Replacing Unsuccessful ‘Community Benefits Agreements’ with Neighborhood Stock Ownership Plans

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    (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    When Jeff Bezos, the world’s wealthiest man, and Amazon sought to locate a major campus in New York City, they ran into a buzzsaw of opposition that derailed the project. Despite the promise of tens of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in local investments, members of the community reacted to the company’s planned arrival with fear and fire. Rallies against the tech giant occurred weekly. Elected officials orchestrated public hearings where they criticized the corporation. Lots of

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