Auto/Aero Firms Redrawing the Map

Dale D. Buss Staff Editor Area Development

Strong sales in the auto industry and a rebounding aerospace sector are spurring new facility/expansion projects in legacy as well as new locations.

U.S. Infrastructure Funding Needs More Than a Quick Fix

Dan White Director, Government Consulting and Fiscal Policy Research Moody's Analytics

Public investment in infrastructure sits at its lowest level since records have been kept because of underfunding across all levels of government.

Renewed Expansion for Renewables Industry

Richard K. Greene, Senior Associate, Investment Consulting Associates

For companies in the renewables industry, preparing for expansion to capture growth needs to be done with care in order to capture the best deals and position the company in the marketplace.

The Evolution of Economic Development: 1965 - 2015

Steve Kaelble Staff Editor Area Development

Since Area Development’s inaugural issue 50 years ago, the economic development process has changed dramatically.

The Art and Science of Locating a New Food Plant

David Sours Senior Vice President, Food Facilities Group CBRE

By identifying critical factors up front, food companies position themselves to succeed in a new market.

Headquarters Decisions: Real Estate Executives Make Their Mark

Brian Cohen, Partner, Transwestern

Headquarters location decisions present companies an opportunity to realign the corporate “home base” with current strategic and operational objectives. They also can be a catalyst for management to facilitate change and move an organization forward based on their vision for the future.

Creating & Maintaining a Cost-Effective Supply Chain

Curtis Spencer President IMS Worldwide, Inc.

A detailed mapping of the supply chain, locational considerations, and the use of foreign-trade zones can all help to reduce supply-chain costs, while increasing velocity.

The Changing Landscape of Data Centers

Jason Shepard Managing Principal Cresa

Identifying the type of data center operator and understanding the purpose of the facility are critical to getting the right information to the stakeholders responsible for making a location decision.

Energy Costs and Strategies for the Data Center Market

Will Steffens Principal Sugarloaf Associates LLC

Data center operators need to not only analyze and monitor their energy usage but also constantly evaluate their energy procurement.

2015 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Recognizing Excellence in State Job Creation and Economic Development Efforts

Area Development Special Presentation

Area Development’s annual awards recognize individual states for their overall economic development effectiveness. This year, we honor 21 states for their achievements in 2014 in garnering investment and job creation with Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Nevada awarded the Gold Shovel.

Texas Today 2015: Diversified Texas Economy Still in Growth Mode

Dan Emerson Staff Editor Area Development

Texas’s industrial growth hasn’t been confined to one industry - or one region - and the state is continuing to build on its successes.

NIH Expands Its REACH

Karen Thuermer Staff Editor Area Development

Bioresearch got a shot in the arm when the National Institutes of Health announced that three proof-of-concept hubs would join three already existing Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs: The Long Island Bioscience Hub, The University of Louisville and The University of Minnesota.

Metro Areas Join in Export Initiatives

Karen Thuermer Staff Editor Area Development

To date, 28 cities across the country have come together under a pilot program called the Global Cities Initiative (GCI) to develop their foreign direct investment plans and volume of exports.

Editor’s Note: Economic Growth Off to Slow Start

Geraldine Gambale Editor Area Development Magazine

PricewaterhouseCoopers Q1 2015 Manufacturing Barometer reveals optimism among U.S. industrial manufacturers regarding the U.S. economy. In fact, the level of optimism — 76 percent — is the highest since the fourth quarter of 2005.

In Focus: Millennials as Drivers of Workplace Design

Josh Kuriloff Executive Vice Chairman Cushman & Wakefield

To promote job recruitment and job retention, and to enhance productivity, it is strategically prudent for employers, planners, developers, and architects to understand the work environment the Millennials demographic favors.

First Person: U.S. Economy Uniquely Positioned for 21st Century

Peter Zeihan Geopolitical Analyst

One of Area Development’s staff editors recently interviewed Peter Zeihan, a former analyst at the geopolitical security firm Stratfor and author of The Accidental Superpower. Zeihan discusses the North American shale boom and the role of the U.S. in protecting global trade.

Understanding Economic Incentives in Site Selection

Chris Magill Economic Development Director Ice Miller

Site selectors need to understand a state or community’s incentives philosophy, how the incentives are deployed, and the risks involved.

Project Definition Improves Industrial Project Delivery

Brian Gallagher Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development PPC Partners, Inc.

Taking a proactive and collaborative approach in the preconstruction phase is key to arriving at a project definition that will lead to successful project delivery.

Veterans: A Natural Fit to Close the Skills Gap

Dan Emerson Staff Editor Area Development

National, regional, and corporate initiatives are helping to connect those leaving the military, who need careers, with U.S. employers, who need skilled workers.