Swarens: Here's how Indianapolis wins the race to land Amazon HQ2

The temptation for Indianapolis, now that the city is one of 20 finalists for Amazon's second headquarters, is to settle for the consolation prize.  We made the finals. We're in the top 10 percent of applicants. That's good enough for our humble little city, right? 

Nonsense.

Indy, we need to be in for the win. 

Trust me, no one in Chicago or Atlanta is feeling validated simply by becoming a finalist for the biggest economic development opportunity in a lifetime. No one in Boston or Dallas, or even Austin, is channeling Sally Fields: "They really like us."

Let's put it in basketball terms: We can't think like a 15th-seeded Coppin State. Just making the tourney is not our reward. We need to think like Duke and Kansas, or old IU back in the glory days. We're here to cut down the nets.

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Look, when I first arrived in this city 20 years ago, the idea of Indianapolis potentially landing a headquarters for one of the world's top three tech companies would have been laughable. Back then, even making the list of finalists would have been such a long shot that Thursday's announcement would merit a victory dance.  Indy needed validation in those days.

But not now. Not after years of nurturing a thriving tech sector. Not after crafting one of the most attractive tax and regulatory climates in the nation. Not after the transformation of Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods from humble places to visit or drive through into attractive destinations to live and work.

Yes, I've heard the "expert" opinions as to why Toronto or Nashville or other sites are more favorable than Indy. They may be right.

But this city has strengths that few others can offer.  An hour away are world-class universities — IU, Purdue and Rose-Hulman — that can quickly provide the talent that Amazon will need. Local universities also have shown the willingness and ability to adapt to changing needs in the marketplace. 

The business climate, as mentioned, is highly attractive. Land is relatively cheap. And a first-class but underused airport can provide ready connections to anywhere in the world without the hassles of Chicago's O'Hare or Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson. (The current lack of direct flights would be one of the first improvements we'd see if Amazon were to land here.)

There's also the hunger factor. Indy needs an Amazon-driven shot of talent and revenue much more so than several of the competitors. That means securing tax incentives, working out any zoning changes, acquiring land and improving infrastructure likely would be much easier to accomplish here than in places such as Boston or Los Angeles.

Yet our strongest asset is a community spirit that rallies behind a challenge.  Stage the Pan Am Games. Host a Super Bowl. Refurbish a decrepit Downtown. Attract and retain the NCAA, Anthem and Salesforce. Indy rises to the occasion.

Now, the city faces the biggest challenge in its history. We've been presented with an opportunity to radically transform our economic future and to acquire the means to make this city among the most attractive in the world.

Indy, don't settle for the "honor" of being a finalist. Don't play the humble Hoosier —  "we're just happy to be here" — act at the wrong time.

It's time to look at 19 other competitors and declare: We're Indianapolis, and we are here to win.

Contact Swarens at tim.swarens@indystar.com. Friend him on Facebook at Tim Swarens; follow him on Twitter @tswarens.

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