This issue arrives at a time when every sector we cover is in motion.

The forces at play — technology shifts, policy changes, and supply chain realignments — are rewriting the rules of competition.

In aerospace, shifting defense and commercial priorities are reshaping supply chains — and site selection now demands as much agility as engineering skill. In automotive, Greg Burkart examines a market being pulled in multiple directions by electrification, consumer trends, and policy shifts.

On the manufacturing floor, the changes are just as sharp. Scott Kupperman looks at how food labeling trends — influenced by consumer health concerns, regulatory pressure, and even the rise of GLP-1 medications — are prompting companies to rethink production lines and packaging strategies. Gregg Healy and J.C. Renshaw widen the lens, charting supply chain volatility that’s forcing real estate and operations teams to make faster, more complex decisions.

We also step across the border, where Marc Beauchamp outlines how Canada is positioning itself to capture new waves of investment — a signal that U.S. regions must stay competitive, not just with each other, but globally.

The common thread is clear: location decisions today are about far more than square footage and incentives. They’re about resilience, adaptability, and finding the ecosystems that will sustain a business through disruption. That’s why our annual Top States for Business rankings remain essential reading — they highlight where companies are most likely to find those conditions, regardless of sector.

The pace isn’t slowing. Success will go to those who can see change coming, move decisively, and partner with regions ready to move with them.