Corporate Survey Analysis by Brian Corde and Kathy Mussio
Dec/Jan 08
This is not to say that labor costs do not play a key role in the site selection process, as this still remained a very strong number-two factor in this year's rankings. We are not surprised to find this factor still retaining importance, as in almost every industry, labor remains the largest controllable, geovariable, and recurring cost a company will face in its business operations.
Overall, we are seeing a general acceleration in the business world. In the past few years, the biggest change in the site selection industry is the emphasis on decreasing the site selection project timeline. Two of the site selection factors - availability of buildings and expedited or "fast-track" permitting - were rated for the first time in the 2007 survey, with very strong rankings of 79.3 percent and 71.5 percent, respectively. Environmental regulations also had a jump to 83.2 percent in the ratings. This is likely due to the pressures on corporations to get projects completed more quickly. It all comes down to timing! Recently companies have been more interested in pad-ready sites that are certified or spec buildings that are already up instead of waiting for grading, permitting, Phase I environmental studies, etc.
With respect to quality-of-life issues, we see that there has not been a significant change from past years' respondents. While quality-of-life issues and the more qualitative aspects of site selection appear to take a back seat to the more quantitative cost issues, quality-of-life issues will certainly surface as final site selection decisions are being made, particularly where two like communities are in competition for the same project.
Project Announcements
Canfor Expands Fulton, Alabama, Production Operations
04/22/2024
Tucker Door & Trim Plans Henrico County, Virginia, Operations
04/19/2024
Zekelman Industries Expands Blytheville, Arkansas, Operations
04/19/2024
Fibrebond Corporation Expands Webster Parish, Louisiana, Operations
04/19/2024
Master Steel Expands Hardeeville, South Carolina, Operations
04/19/2024
L3Harris Technologies Expands Orange County, Virginia, Operations
04/18/2024
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