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.
Recent Project Announcements
Nucor Corporation Expands Crawfordsville, Indiana, Manufacturing Operations
10/09/2026
Huntington National Bank Renovates Tupelo, Mississippi, Operations
10/08/2026
CurTec USA Expands Westminster, South Carolina, Operations
10/08/2026
Viakable Expands La Salle, Illinois, Production Operations
10/08/2026
Webco Industries Plans Muskogee, Oklahoma, Operations
10/08/2026
Anduril Industries Plans Baltimore County Maryland, Shipbuilding Operations
10/07/2026
Re:Build Expands Rock Hill, South Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/07/2026
Canadian-Based Polyethics Industries Plans Antwerp, Ohio, Manufacturing Operations
10/07/2026
Bell & Evans Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, Operations
10/06/2026
Caterpillar Expands Sanford, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/03/2026
Bayer Plans New Albany, Ohio, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Operations
10/03/2026
Janus Organization Plans Greenwood, Mississippi, Operations
10/03/2026
Simpson Strong-Tie Consolidates-Expands Fulton, Missouri, Operations
10/03/2026
Adeptus USA Plans Honea Path, South Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/02/2026
Most Read
-
The Shifting Landscape of Location Strategy
Q2 2026
-
Top States for Doing Business in 2026: Where Competitive Advantage Becomes Project Certainty
Q3 2026
-
Why Great Sites Get Eliminated: The Critical Role of Information Presentation in Site Selection
Q3 2026
-
What Site Selectors Discuss After the Site Visit Ends
Q3 2026
-
Steel Is Back—and Infrastructure Is Deciding Where New Mills Locate
Q3 2026
-
2025’s Top States for Business: How the Winners Are Outpacing the Rest
Q3 2025
-
Why Relationships Still Win Projects in Site Selection
Q3 2026