Market Report: Federal R&D Funding Fuels Aerospace Growth

Mark Crawford (November 2011)

Aerospace remains one of the most important sectors in the North American economy for the jobs it supports and its importance in establishing America and Canada’s reputation as a leader in science and technology. More

FEATURES

Automotive >>

The U.S. Auto Industry is Jumpstarting the Manufacturing Sector

Lisa A. Bastian (November 2011)

With more competitive labor agreements, automakers are building more in the United States, retooling and refurbishing existing plants, and backshoring operations. More

Site Selection/Facility Planning >>

Smaller Communities Can Offer Your Company a Helping Hand

Steve Stackhouse (November 2011)

Some smaller communities are offering prospects their own road crews to prepare privately owned sites for development. More

Economics/ Government Policy >>

Industry Clusters: Importance of Place still Relevant to Business Success

Hal Johnson, President and CEO, Upstate SC Alliance (November 2011)

Although industry clustering may not be the economic development “Holy Grail”, an effective clustering strategy is still a proven recipe for success More

High Tech/Nano/Electronics >>

E-Tailers and the Secret to A Good Location Decision

Richard H. Thompson, Executive Vice President and Head of North American Supply Chain & Logistics Solutions, Jones Lang Lasalle (November 2011)

A surge in e-tailing has heightened the importance of making the right site selection decision for an e-commerce company’s big-box facilities. More

Labor/Education/HR >>

The Unemployment Conundrum: Business Cycles or Something Larger?

Dave Claborn , Director of Development and Community Relations, Ohio State University, Marion (November 2011)

If the nation’s unemployment crisis is to be solved, education as well as on-the-job experience must now be combined with the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. More

Energy/Sustainable Development >>

Building a Strong Energy-Efficient Foundation

Dr. Don McLean, Founder and CEO, Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) (November 2011)

Building performance analysis must be quantified and incorporated into the design process right from the earliest architectural stages. More

TOP SITE SELECTION FACTORS

Logistics/Infrastructure >>

Top Site Selection Factors: Highway Accessibility - The Need for Speed

Beth Mattson-Teig (November 2011)

Many companies don’t need to look further than the gas pump or congested roadways to determine their top site selection criteria. Easy access to key infrastructure can be vital when it comes to executing business strategies, saving time and money, and creating an attractive environment for both employees and customers. More

Labor/Education/HR >>

Top Site Selection Factors: Labor Costs - Still a Major Concern

Cynthia Kincaid (November 2011)

The cost of skilled labor is always at the forefront of concern for corporate executives, and the 2010 survey respondents confirmed this fact. Labor costs were ranked as the second most important factor in Area Development’s 2010 Corporate Survey, with a 91 percent importance rating, although this was a 5.7 percent drop from 2009. More

Taxes/Incentives >>

Top Site Selection Factors: Tax Rates, Exemptions, and Incentives - Keeping an Eye on the Competition

Mali R. Schantz-Feld (November 2011)

Developing a new facility is an expensive endeavor. Depending upon the size and scope of a business, start-up costs can make a difference between getting a project off the ground and seeing it fall flat. After opening, the costs continue to accumulate. Low tax rates, tax exemptions, and tax incentives can lift a big burden off of all phases of a company’s budget. In fact, in Area Development’s 2010 Corporate Survey, respondents ranked these three factors among their top-six site selection criteria. More