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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Aerospace

Orlando International Airport: A Gateway for Growth

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (Q3 2025)

As global supply chains grow more complex, Orlando International Airport demonstrates how proactive governance and land availability can enable agile, scalable business expansion. More
americas-aerospace-reboot

America’s Aerospace Reboot

Garrison Partridge, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q3 2025)

Once dominated by legacy clusters, aerospace site selection is evolving rapidly as companies prioritize speed, workforce specialization, and strategic proximity. More

Front Line: Reclaiming the Launchpad

Garrison Partridge, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q3 2025)

How Mississippi is turning a federal legacy into a commercial space hub. More
the-second-space-race

The Second Space Race

Garrison Partridge, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q2 2025)

How spaceport development could drive economic growth in new places. More
ohios-dynamic-approach-to-economic-development-empowers-inclusive-prosperity

Ohio’s Dynamic Approach to Economic Development Empowers Inclusive Prosperity

JobsOhio (Q1 2025)

Ohio’s big cities and small towns thrive with a mix of economic development initiatives that drive momentum. More
navigating-the-new-era-of-scif-construction

Navigating the new era of SCIF construction

Brian Metras, Senior Vice President, Secure Environments Group Lead, Project Development Services, JLL  and Tom Taylor, Managing Director, Aerospace and Defense Group, JLL (Q1 2025)

Changing compliance standards, heightened geopolitical threats drive SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities) construction boom. More

Dayton, Ohio Poised to Build “Doomsday” Planes

Amy Matias, Area Development Staff Writer,  (Q4 2024)

Dayton, Ohio has long been recognized as the birthplace of aviation, and it is once again proving its strategic importance to the aerospace industry. More

St. Louis Aerospace Sector Takes Flight with $5 Billion in Investments and New Task Force

Kimberly Graulein, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q4 2024)

Mound City emerges as a hub for aerospace investments and jobs. More

Reaching for the Stars: Space Industry Creating Opportunities Across the Country

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2024)

Opportunities Expand Nationwide, Creating a New Era of Economic and Job Growth Across the U.S. More

Emerging Markets in Aerospace: Navigating Federal Funding and Strategic Expansion

Tom Taylor, Managing Director, Aerospace and Defense Group, JLL (Q3 2024)

Strategic federal funding shifts are creating new growth opportunities in the aerospace sector. Here's how companies can navigate real estate choices, talent acquisition, and supply chain management to stay competitive. More

Burns & McDonnell’s Role in Intuitive Machines' Lunar Production and Operations Center

Area Development Research Desk (Q3 2024)

The partnership highlights how collaboration and visionary facility design are reshaping the future of space exploration. More

The War on Talent in Aerospace: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining a Skilled Workforce

Tom Taylor, Managing Director, Aerospace and Defense Group, JLL (Q3 2024)

Effective talent management is essential in today's aerospace and defense industry. By focusing on competitive compensation, modern facilities, and professional development, companies can secure the skilled workforce needed to thrive. More

Home Sweet Home: Mississippi’s Business Climate Makes It Hard to Leave

Mississippi Development Authority (Q4 2023)

Its network of transportation options, low tax rates, workforce pipeline, and government support are among the reasons companies in the aerospace, auto, and other sectors choose to expand in Mississippi. More

Reviewing the Turbulent Ride, as Aerospace Looks Optimistically Ahead

Liesel Schmader, Senior Consultant, Deloitte and Alex Dunlap, Senior Consultant, Deloitte (2023 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

As aerospace companies continue to rebound and evolve, they need to establish their unique goals in order to make an informed and data-driven location decision. More

Aerospace / Defense Is Flying High in Michigan

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (2023 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Collaboration between businesses, state government, DOD leaders, and others is continuing to advance the A&D sector in Michigan. More

Diversifying Aerospace: Promoting Women in STEM

Leshia Pearson, Deputy Director. Aerospace & Defense, Oklahoma Department of Commerce (2023 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Promoting initiatives to educate young people on STEM opportunities, while closing the gender gap, will spur the growth of the U.S. aerospace/aviation sector. More

Mississippi’s Aerospace and Defense Industry Continues to Soar

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2023)

The state’s specialized infrastructure, talent, and outstanding academic institutions are continuing to draw companies in the aerospace sector. More

The Top Investment Location Prospects for Aerospace Manufacturing

Scott Thompson, Global Aerospace & Defense Leader, PwC (Q1 2023)

Which are the most promising states and countries for aerospace production in a rapidly evolving sector-wide landscape? More

The Dawn of the Trillion-Dollar Space Economy

Lisa A. Bastian (2022 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

The building and servicing of rockets and satellites, security of satellite data, space tourism, and more provide the potential for massive industry expansion. More

Manufacturing’s Last “KISS”

Jeff Troan, Managing Director, Vista Site Selection, LLC (2022 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Although those in the aerospace and other industries once believed that the simplest solution to a production problem was undoubtedly the optimal one, it often creates inefficiency in design and production that makes for a competitive disadvantage in today’s global marketplace. 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

Preparing for Launch of an Aerospace Business

Josh Foerschler, Aerospace, Defense and Space Lead, Burns & McDonnell (2021 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Aerospace startups, even more so than other companies, benefit from a holistic approach to planning and site selection. More

2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Project of the Year: Northrop Grumman Growing Jobs, Investment in Utah

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

Through a $380 million investment to expand its Weber County operations, Northrop Grumman will create jobs around Hill Air Force Base for generations to come. More

A Guide to Aerospace Investment Decisions

Scott Thompson, Global Aerospace & Defense Leader, PwC (2020 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Where should aerospace focus production during a prolonged recovery — and for the long haul? More

Regional Report: Manufacturing Drives Growth in the Southern States

Tom Gresham (Q1 2020)

Big-picture data provides evidence of a regional economy on the rise, with manufacturing as the centerpiece of its growth. More

Revitalized Cities: Which Locations Have Outperformed and Why?

Matthew Mowell, Senior Economist, Oxford Economics (Q1 2020)

Many locations that saw economic contractions have been able to revitalize themselves by instituting pro-business policies, developing innovative workforces, and drawing the right industry mix — sprinkled with a little bit of luck! More

Hot Jobs: Growing Industrial Sectors

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q4 2019)

Although the number of jobs lost during the Great Recession have been regained, not all regions or industry sectors have experienced the same recovery. More

Regional Report: Positive Signs for the Mississippi Economy

Tom Gresham (Q4 2019)

Businesses in Mississippi benefit from customized training programs and enhanced incentives, as well as the state’s investments in infrastructure. More

Where to Invest in the Booming Aerospace Manufacturing Industry

Scott Thompson, Global Aerospace & Defense Leader, PwC (2019 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

The U.S. remains top-ranked globally for aerospace attractiveness, but companies must consider labor, infrastructure, and tax policy among other factors when deciding where to locate their next U.S. facility. More

Controlling Conditions in Aerospace Manufacturing Facilities

Dan Wiegandt, Program Director, Aviation, Aerospace & Defense, The Austin Company (2019 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Modern aerospace facilities have special interior environmental requirements in order to support the manufacture of cutting-edge technology and products. More

Regional Report: Building Economic Momentum in Oklahoma

Tom Gresham (Q3 2019)

Oklahoma seeks to capitalize on recent growth by continuing to diversify its economy, upgrading its educational system, and strengthening its brand. More

Aerospace and Defense Investment Projects Take the Long View

Von Hatley, Managing Director, Jones Walker Consulting, LLC (Q2 2019)

Von Hatley, Managing Director at Jones Walker Consulting, spoke with Area Development about the state of site selection and strategic planning within the aerospace and defense industry after his presentation at our Miami Consultants Forum on the same subject. More

Location Notebook: Indiana Is Making Global Connections

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2019)

Both domestic and foreign advanced technology and other firms are investing in Indiana, a state with a well-prepared workforce and lifestyle initiatives to attract younger workers. More

Frontline: UAVs Provide Construction Industry With Clearer Sight Line

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q4 2018)

As companies increasingly use drones to monitor progress on construction projects, the FAA is easing restrictions that are currently limiting their use. More

Designing the Aircraft Manufacturing Facility

Dan Wiegandt, Program Director, Aviation, Aerospace & Defense, The Austin Company and Ken Stone, Vice President and Project Executive, The Austin Company (2018 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Everything about an aircraft manufacturing and assembly building must be driven by the manufacturing process. More

How Innovation and Tourism Work Side By Side in Orlando

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2018)

The success of Orlando’s theme park industry and cross-disciplinary technology innovation have led to the region becoming a leading destination for high-tech companies. More

Challenges Facing the International Project Manager of an FDI project

Angela Grace, Principal, Blackshaw Partners LLC (Location USA 2018)

An interview with Franck Mouriaux, chief engineer at RUAG Schweiz and project manager at RUAG Space in Florida, helps shed light on the process and challenges a foreign company faces when setting up a facility in the U.S. More

Advanced Technologies for the “Connected Age”

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2017)

With new applications for leading-edge technologies seemingly being developed on an almost daily basis, the eventual implications for business and consumers, and on aspects of daily living, are only just beginning to be understood. More

Personal VTOL Aircraft Take Off: What It Means for U.S. Manufacturing

Doug Gates , Global Head of Industrial Manufacturing , KPMG and Tom Mayor, Principal, Strategy Practice Leader, Industrial Manufacturing, KPMG (2017 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

The personal vertical takeoff and landing aircraft business may be in its infancy, but it is clear that it will be a big market. Existing aerospace and defense OEMs have the experience, technology, and capital to win in this emerging market adjacency. More

Implications of Renegotiating NAFTA on the Auto and Aerospace Industries

Clare Goldsberry , Staff Editor, Area Development (2017 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

The prospect of NAFTA renegotiation leaves automotive and aerospace OEMs and suppliers uncertain about the future. More

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