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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Advanced Manufacturing

Front Line: Performing Physical Tasks Remotely

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2022)

Rapid advances in automation are even allowing some tasks in manufacturing facilities to be tackled remotely. More

The Energy Transition: Moving Toward Renewable and Carbon-Neutral Solutions

Brian Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Development, Graycor (Q2 2022)

The massive shift from fossil fuels to cleaner-sourced energy is not a simple or linear path forward. More

Taking Action Now for An Increasingly Automated Future

Jacob Everett , Credit & Incentives Practice, McGuire Sponsel (Q2 2022)

The jobs created by automation will ultimately exceed those that are lost, but a federal program is needed to successfully navigate the transformation of the labor force. More

In Focus: Safety First-The Benefits of Construction Robotics

Prasoon Shrivastava, Founder and CEO, Zepth (Q2 2022)

The use of construction robots can transform site safety for human workers, while monitoring processes that impact project timelines and budgets. More

Driving Into An Electric Vehicle Future

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (Q1 2022)

The transition to EVs will bring mega investments and thousands of jobs to some communities while disrupting makers of ICE vehicles, the communities in which they’re located, as well as their employees. More

Auto Giants Race to Build U.S. EV Battery Assembly Plants

Jack Rogers (Q1 2022)

More than $20 billion worth of new EV battery assembly facilities are being built in the U.S., but 90 percent of battery components are imported, and Tesla is busy preparing for a global shortage of lithium battery cells More

Tennessee’s Economy Incredibly Resilient

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2022)

Despite COVID-19 challenges, the state scored a record-breaking year in 2021. More

Northeast Indiana: Building a Healthy Business Future

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2022)

With a reputation as the “orthopedic capital of the world” and a focus on improved medicine through advanced materials, Northeast Indiana continues to build on its successes. More

Optimizing Market Share in the EV Industry

Brandon Darroch, Southeast Division Manager and Senior Associate, SSOE and Matthew Patterson, Senior Account Executive and Industrial Business Development, SSOE Group (Q1 2022)

With huge growth expected in the EV/battery production market, manufacturers must start their project planning early, taking into account labor, energy, and supply chain needs. More

First Person: AI and Robotics in the Workplace

Carolina Weidler, Principal, Hendy (Q1 2022)

With COVID-19 changing the reality of the world’s population, it has undoubtedly affected the way businesses operate. Area Development recently discussed the use of robotics and other automation technologies in response to these changes with Carolina Weidler, leader of Hendy’s Science and Technology Practice Group. More

New Equipment Considerations in Capacity Planning and Manufacturing Resiliency

Michael Verdier , Vice President & Market Leader, Integrated Industrial Design (IID), BHDP Architecture (Q1 2022)

Regular maintenance and a review of what’s needed to meet capacity requirements — including cost of new equipment or possible automation — will ensure your company meets its current and future productivity goals. More

In Focus: Michigan Rises to the Competitive Challenge

Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (Q1 2022)

As the competition heats up, the state is taking concrete steps to ensure Michigan maintains its advantage in attracting and retaining advanced technology companies. More

Five Ways Automation Will Strengthen Your Labor Force

Cristi Waterson (Q1 2022)

Automation, robots, and AI technology can create safer, more fulfilling work environments for employees, while simultaneously creating opportunities for workers to gain new skills and advance their careers. More

Front Line: U.S. Automakers Look to Semiconductor Partners

Karen Thuermer, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2022)

In response to supply chain challenges and in order to expand production of AVs and EVs, U.S. automakers are looking to design the highly coveted chips in-house. More

Workforce Development Programs Are in Overdrive

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Workforce Q4 2021)

Job losses resulting from the pandemic have made upskilling of workers for the post-COVID economy even more critical, and government and private organizations are stepping up. More

The Next Generation of Cold Chain Logistics

Brian Chatham, Project Manager; Jeremy Klysen, Business Development Manager; Joseph Scovronski, Senior Architect; Burns & McDonnell (Q4 2021)

In order to meet consumer demand for fresh food delivery, food processing and distribution companies are expanding cold chain logistics and automation systems. More

First Person: Building a Sustainable Global Semiconductor Supply Chain

Brooke L. Beebe, Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Engagement, Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (Q3 2021)

Hemlock Semiconductor in Saginaw, Michigan, is the nation’s largest manufacturer of ultra-pure polysilicon that is sliced by other manufacturers into wafers to be used in solar cells and semiconductors. Area Development’s editor recently asked the company’s senior vice president of Advocacy and Engagement about the recent shortage in the global production of semiconductors that has been causing delays in the manufacture of products utilizing these chips. More

Michigan Invests in Its Talent Ecosystem

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2021)

The state is doubling down on its efforts to meet current workforce demands while building a pipeline of talent with the in-demand skills for a new generation of jobs. More

U.S. Space Race Propels the Nation to New Heights

Karen Thuermer, Staff Editor, Area Development (2021 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Activities involving the development, production, and use of space technologies are spread across the United States. More

Getting the EV Industry Charged Up

Alison K. Eggers, Partner, Litigation Department, Seyfarth Shaw LLP and Brandon L. Bigelow, Partner, Litigation Department, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2021 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Consumers’ confidence with electric vehicles — and the ultimate success of the EV industry — depends upon the building of a network of charging stations. More

2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Project of the Year: Microsoft Chooses Atlanta For New AI/Cloud Computing Facility

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2021)

The promise of a robust talent pool from area universities, as well as proximity to other tech giants, helped solidify Microsoft’s decision to locate a new facility in Atlanta. More

2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Project of the Year: Taiwan Semiconductor’s New Phoenix Plant Will Help Alleviate U.S. Chip Shortage

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2021)

The semiconductor company’s new $12 billion plant in Phoenix, Ariz., will produce 20,000 wafers monthly and is expected to create 1,600 jobs. More

2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Project of the Year: Accenture Federal Services’ St. Louis Facility to Offer AI, Cyber Solutions

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2021)

Some 1,400 employees at the technology and consulting company will serve federal agencies from this new facility. More

2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Project of the Year: CREE Wolfspeed’s Wafers Key to Charging of EVs

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2021)

The silicon carbide wafers to be produced at the Mohawk Valley, N.Y., plant will reduce the charging time and range of EVs and also be used in 5G infrastructure and solar inverters. More

3D Manufacturing and COVID-19

John Hornick, Chief Strategy & Communications Officer, nScrypt (Q1 2021)

The global pandemic may be taking the U.S. back to the days of regional manufacturing, simplifying supply chains and making us more self-sufficient. More

Advanced Manufacturing Key to Richmond’s Continued Economic Growth

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2021)

With its central East Coast location, modern infrastructure, affordable costs, talented work force, and pro-business support, the Greater Richmond area is attracting its share of companies in a diverse array of advanced manufacturing industries. More

Caribbean: Business Locations in Sunny Places

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2021)

Sophisticated technology and infrastructure attributes, friendly wage rates, multilingual skilled labor, and sometimes surprising real estate deals make the Caribbean islands an attractive option for investment. More

In Focus: Construction Tech Adoption Speeds Up

Henry D'Esposito, Senior Research Analyst, JLL (Q1 2021)

Despite the bleaker impacts of COVID-19, the pandemic has created the opportunity for construction technology adoption to dramatically accelerate. More

Challenges of Moving Manufacturing Out of China

Rosemary Coates, Executive Director, Reshoring Institute; President, Blue Silk Consulting,  (Q1 2021)

When moving manufacturing out of China, there’s a lot to consider, e.g., employment contracts, retrieval of tooling and molds, IP protection, and taxes and fees. More

Workforce: A Primary Ingredient in the Evolution of the Food Industry

Stephen Gray, President & CEO, Gray, Inc. (Q4 2020)

The global pandemic has accelerated changes occurring in the food and beverage industry, with a heightened focus on worker and consumer safety and automation technologies. More

Cold Storage Is Hotter Than Ever

Steve Kozarits, Senior Vice President, Transwestern and Lori Zuck, Managing Director, Transwestern (Q4 2020)

The Covid-19 pandemic has illuminated challenges and opportunities for both investors and occupiers of cold storage space. More

Disruption in the Automotive Industry

Dennis Cuneo, Owner, DC Strategic Advisors LLC (2020 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

The pandemic is yet another of a series of disruptive events that have impacted the auto industry, but the outlook is brighter. More

Shifts in Mobility and Transportation Infrastructure in a COVID-19 World

Michele Satterlund , Senior Vice President, State Government Relations, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC (2020 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

A conversation with Nicole Barranco at Volkswagen Group of America reveals the need for the U.S. to focus on its mobility systems to meet evolving consumer demand. More

Front Line: COVID-19 Spurs More Automated Manufacturing

Karen Thuermer, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2020)

The global pandemic has presented manufacturers with new labor challenges, which are being addressed by new technologies and automation. More

Ensuring Business Continuity While Focusing on Accelerating Automation

Catalina Valencia, Principal, Terrafinder Consulting, LLC (Q2 2020)

In the face of current risks, business will focus on supply chain resiliency, accelerating automation, and increased investments in telecommunications and renewable energy. More

The Future of Manufacturing Site Selection is Connected

Catalina Valencia, Principal, Terrafinder Consulting, LLC (Q2 2020)

Area Development interviewed Catalina Valencia, Founding Principal, Terrafinder Consulting, at the 2019 Area Development Women in Economic Development Forum in Chicago about the future of site selection for heavy industry. More

The Wabash Valley Power Alliance: Helping Businesses Grow

Lisa A. Bastian (Q1 2020)

By offering affordable, reliable power and working with its community partners, this alliance of electric cooperatives is drawing businesses to its Midwest service territory. More

Edmonton’s Expanding Role in the Global Economy

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2020)

With a strong mix of resource industries and emerging high tech, the Edmonton metropolitan region is one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada. More

In Focus: 3D Printing Continues to Rock Manufacturing

John Hornick, Chief Strategy & Communications Officer, nScrypt (Q1 2020)

Manufacturing — not just printing — fully functioning parts and biomanufacturing are on the horizon for 3D. More

Regional Report: Technology and Natural Resources Fuel Pacific States’ Economies

Tom Gresham (Q1 2020)

Located at the epicenter of the nation’s tech industry, the Pacific region also benefits from a wealth of agricultural and natural resources as well as its locational advantages. More

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