There just might be a boom in store for the local economy, as Amazon has announced that the Greater Boston area – including Somerville – is on their short list of contenders for their second headquarters.

By Jim Clark

Last Thursday, it was announced that Amazon had winnowed down its candidates for hosting their second headquarters from 238 to a final 20, with the Boston Metro area – which includes Somerville – making the cut.

Both Boston and Somerville made individual proposals to the online retail giant, and both ended up among the 20 contenders set to be scrutinized for the final phase of site selection. Amazon has announced that it will be making that final decision later this year.

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone waxed enthusiastic after hearing the news, saying in a statement on Facebook, “I know Amazon can be a polarizing issue, but the Somerville bid has made the final 20 cut for HQ2. We put in a different sort of bid – emphasizing why they should want to be part of what we’re doing rather than the other way around, and tying in public transit. Obviously that caught their attention.”

The mayor went on to state, “Commercial growth is one of the three key elements to our long range community plan, along with new housing and increased open space. Just making this cut alongside a slew of major cities reaffirms just how attractive a business location Somerville has become. It’s not a matter of if we can achieve our desired commercial growth (which shifts the local tax burden away from residents), it’s a matter of who and how soon. Unmistakably, businesses are looking to locate in transit-oriented, vibrant urban areas like ours.”

The remaining 19 cities selected for further consideration are Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Indianapolis, IN, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, Montgomery County, MD, Nashville, TN, Newark, NJ, New York City, NY, Northern Virginia, VA, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Raleigh, NC, Toronto, ON, Washington D.C., Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, and Chicago, IL.

Amazon intends to invest over $5 billion in the city it ultimately chooses. Some 50,000 high-paying jobs are expected to be created in the process.

While some consider Somerville and Boston’s chances for selection to be marginally feasible, many others remain optimistic.