36th Annual Survey of Corporate Executives Commentary: Labor Costs and Availability Go Hand in Hand
The pandemic shook up what workers want and expect from a job.
Q1 2022
The most interesting result on the combined ratings of factors, would be the top two of labor costs and availability of skilled labor. To me, those go “hand in hand.” A recent jobs report shows an increase in the numbers of workers returning to work, but payroll sums are still more than five million shy of pre-pandemic levels. The pandemic shook up what workers want and expect from a job.
Lastly, the most overlooked site selection factor would be quality of life (tied for 11th). This will continue to rise, as it not just about what to do in the region, but other factors to look at are healthcare availability and affordability, educational institutions, infrastructure, crime and corrections, and the natural environment. Quality of life may have a minimal impact early in the site selection process, but a major impact in the final short-list stage.
Project Announcements
DDP Specialty Electronic Materials US Expands Midland, Michigan, Manufacturing Operations
01/30/2026
Aerospace Lubricants Expands Columbus, Ohio, Production Operations
01/30/2026
Radical AI Plans Brooklyn, New York, Materials Science Operations
01/28/2026
Germany-Based KettenWulf Plans Auburn, Alabama, Production Operations
01/28/2026
Frontieras North America Plans Mason County, West Virginia, Operations
01/28/2026
North Wind Plans Rosemount, Minnesota, Research Operations
01/27/2026
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