Corporate Executive Survey Commentary: Project Timelines Compressed
Site location decision-making durations continue to compress, as reflected by those considering shovel-ready/pre-certified sites and building availability important factors.
Q1 2014
I was not surprised to see availability of skilled labor lead the list of site selection factors, rising two spots and about 6 percent from last year’s survey. Identifying locations with a labor force well suited to meet the immediate and long-terms needs of a particular company has become a challenge nationwide, as our economy continues to recover and our work force struggles to support the changing needs of employers, especially in the manufacturing sectors. What I did find surprising was that there was no mention of the HR function among the departments involved in the site selection process. My personal experience is that HR representatives are playing a more significant role in location decision-making and getting involved earlier in the process.
In addition to the rising focus on labor, our clients have never been as concerned with the reduction and mitigation of delivery risk, as site location decision-making durations continue to compress, as indicated by a 9 percent increase over 2012 in the number of respondents who reached a decision within 3– 6 months. Several survey responses reflect this trend, including 61 percent of respondents categorizing shovel-ready/pre-certified site as very or somewhat important. Along similar lines, the existence of available buildings remains critical, with 78 percent of respondents assigning existing building availability into the same top two categories.
Recent Project Announcements
Pivot Bio Expands Hazelwood, Missouri, Operations
04/29/2026
Davis Timber Company Expands DeRidder, Louisiana, Manufacturing Operations
04/28/2026
Blevins Asphalt Expands Mount Vernon, Missouri, Maintenance Operations
04/28/2026
Niagara Bottling Plans Perth, New York, Production-Warehouse Operations
04/26/2026
Marubeni-Itochu Steel America Plans Osceola, Arkansas, Flat-Rolled Steel Operations
04/25/2026
Corderill Plans Meridian, Mississippi, Operations
04/25/2026
Ferrara Candy Plans Orangeburg County, South Carolina, Production Operations
04/25/2026
Blue Ops Plans Valdosta, Georgia, Manufacturing Operations
04/25/2026
Virginia Transformer Expands Rincon, Georgia, Production Operations
04/25/2026
AbbVie Plans Durham, North Carolina, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Operations
04/24/2026
Air Liquide Plans St. James Parish, Louisiana, Production Operations
04/24/2026
Envoy Air Expands Little Rock, Arkansas, Operations
04/24/2026
Australia-Based Syenta Establishes Tempe, Arizona, Semiconductor Development Operations
04/23/2026
Mondi Expands Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Production Operations
04/23/2026
Most Read
-
Economic Developer Role Shifting from Deal-Making to Systems Stewardship
Q1 2026
-
What Companies Need from Modern Manufacturing Sites
Q1 2026
-
Top States for Doing Business in 2024: A Continued Legacy of Excellence
Q3 2024
-
Capitalizing on the OBBBA Before the 2026 Cliff
Q1 2026
-
40th Annual Corporate and 22nd Annual Consultant Site Selection Survey Results
Q1 2026
-
Where Workforce Capacity Is Being Built — and Where It’s Being Deployed
Q1 2026
-
Last Word: Don’t Lose by Winning
Q1 2026