Annual Reports >>

26th Annual Corporate Survey & 8th Annual Consultants Survey

Area Development Magazine Special Presentation (Winter 2012)

Survey results reflect a sense of cautious optimism for longer-range economic recovery, an awareness of the need to address the nation's work force skills gap, as well as increased plans for relocation in order to alleviate onerous tax and regulatory burdens. More

International Location Reports >>

Mexico's Manufacturing Base Rebounds

Clare Goldsberry  (Winter 2012)

As companies expand their capabilities, Mexico's advantages - and proximity to its biggest export market - will become evident and its manufacturing base will expand even further. More

Economics/ Government Policy >>

Defense Cutbacks Lead to Novel Industrial Parks

John K. Borchardt (Winter 2012)

From coast to coast, U.S. Navy shipyards have been converted into industrial parks with facilities occupied by small, medium, and large companies employing from fewer than a dozen people up to several hundred. More

Logistics/Infrastructure >>

Logistics/Distribution Projects on the Rise

Leslie Wagner, Director of Project Management and Development, Ginovus (Winter 2012)

In the coming decades, businesses and communities seeking to remain competitive in the logistics arena will need to continuously innovate in order to adapt to the changing environment. More

Site Selection/Facility Planning >>

Construction Project Planning: A Methodology for Effectively Managing Cost and Scheduling

Jennifer MacLeod, CCE, PMP; Manager, Contract Administration, Ken Putnam, CCM; Senior Estimator; Carlos Valenzuela, CCM; Manager, Construction Department, SSOE Group (Winter 2012)

Using the Work Breakdown Structure - or WBS - will help to safeguard construction's bottom line. More

Site Selection/Facility Planning >>

Three Key Trends CRE Planners Must Understand

Kevin Hughes, Executive Managing Director and Principal, Jones Lang LaSalle (Winter 2012)

Workplace mobility, collaboration, and global expansion trends are here to stay. Knowing the difference between an entrenched trend and a flash-in-the-pan idea can save a lot of time and effort, and produce better bottom-line results. More

Site Selection/Facility Planning >>

Designing and Planning the Workplace for Today's Corporate Culture

Andrew Harnish, CCIM,  (Winter 2012)

The right working environment is essential to attract the new generation of workers, retain talent, and foster innovation. More

Asset Management >>

Adaptive Re-Use of Corporate Real Estate

Beth Mattson-Teig (Winter 2012)

The slow economic recovery and continued real estate recession is creating a costly dilemma for companies looking to dispose of vacant facilities. More

Economics/ Government Policy >>

A State-by-State Round Up of Recent Political and Legislative Changes Affecting Business Expansion Plans

Jason Hickey, President, Hickey & Associates, LLC (Winter 2012)

Over the last few years, there has been a lot of political transition, debate, and public disillusionment. In kind, our leaders have responded with a new set of legislative and regulatory proposals that will undoubtedly affect site location projects far into the future. More

Taxes/Incentives >>

States Re-Examine How They Use Incentives to Attract Business

Dan Calabrese (Winter 2012)

Many states are taking a harder look at their traditional incentives offerings and opting for newer approaches including "economic gardening," consulting services, and cold cash. More

Economics/ Government Policy >>

Editor's Note Winter 2012: "A Crisis of Trust"

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Winter 2012)

With renewed trust - and caution giving way to confidence -businesses will begin to invest in their future and simultaneously improve the future for the citizens of the communities in which they operate. More

Labor/Education/HR >>

First Person: Accelerated Integration of Technology into the Workplace Highlights the Skills Gap in Today's Workforce - What Are We Doing About It?

Debra Lyons, Vice President FOR Community and Economic Development, workforce development division, ACT (Winter 2012)

Debra Lyons recently sat down with Area Development to discuss what states and businesses can do to help close the work skills gap. More

Asset Management >>

In Focus: The Need for a Strategic Approach to Facilities Capital Planning

Ray Dufresne, Vice President, VFA, Inc. (Winter 2012)

As vice president in VFA's Consulting Services group, Ray Dufresne is responsible for management and direction of projects for customers across VFA's market base. Prior to forming the Consulting Services group in 2004, Dufresne led Assessment Services within VFA for 12 years. More

Biotech >>

Markets Tighten in U.S. Life Science Sector

Karen Engel, Executive Director, East Bay Economic Development Alliance (Winter 2012)

Despite the ongoing impact of the global economic downturn - and amid increasing competition from emerging markets such as Brazil, China, and India - the United States continues to dominate the global life science sector. More

Logistics/Infrastructure >>

Federal High-Speed Rail Plans Moving Down the Line

Mark Crawford (Winter 2012)

Despite the rancor in Congress about federal spending, the Obama administration is still gung-ho about high-speed rail. So is the American public... More

Annual Reports >>

Growing Communities Through the Benefits of Public Power

Steve Stackhouse (Winter 2012)

A community's economy is only as healthy as its local industries. Likewise, local businesses fare best in an economically healthy community. Cities served by publicly owned utilities have an ally fighting on both fronts. More