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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Government Policy / Business Climate

the-new-math-behind-mexico-and-us-manufacturing-decisions

The New Math Behind Mexico and U.S. Manufacturing Decisions

Jenna Hassam, Senior Associate, Business Consulting and Site Selection, JLL (Q2 2025)

Rising wages, grid strain, and policy shifts are changing the calculus for manufacturers in North America. More
the-legal-limits-of-dei-in-incentives-agreements-hiring-and-contracting

The Legal Limits of DEI in Incentives Agreements, Hiring, and

Jonathan K. Stock, Of Counsel, Vorys and Allen S. Kinzer, Partner, Vorys (Q2 2025)

States and cities have tied incentives to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals — such as subcontracting targets or workforce composition — but a new executive order from the Trump administration and related lawsuits are raising the legal stakes. That raises new questions about what’s lawful and what’s not when it comes to DEI, affirmative action, and the use of contracting targets — and how that may impact your next location decision. More
facility-deployments-in-a-dynamic-electric-landscape

Facility Deployments in a Dynamic Electric Landscape

Sarah Carnes, Senior Consultant, Enterprise Services and Location Strategy Practice, Deloitte Consulting LLP (Q2 2025)

How companies can adapt to evolving utility policies, secure reliable power, and mitigate risks in a shifting electric landscape. More
39th-annual-corporate-21st-annual-consultants-surveys-what-business-leaders-and-consultants-are-sayi

39th Annual Corporate & 21st Annual Consultants Surveys: What Business Leaders and Consultants Are Saying About Site Selection

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q1 2025)

The findings from Area Development’s annual surveys provide a comprehensive look at how decision-makers are navigating the current landscape and what factors are shaping their investment plans. More

Around the Horn: North America’s Trade Tensions

Area Development Research Desk (Q1 2025)

Charlie Smith, managing director of geopolitical strategy at Newmark Global Strategy discusses the current trade tensions across North America and their implications with his colleagues, managing director Carlos Sanchez (based in Mexico) and senior managing director Gregg Wassmansdorf (based in Canada). More

Editor’s Note: The Future Is Now

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q1 2025)

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
us-tariff-outlook-key-signals-to-watch-in-2025

U.S. Tariff Outlook: Key Signals to Watch in 2025

Charlie Smith, Managing Director, Geopolitical Strategy at Newmark (Q1 2025)

How economic developers, manufacturers, and policymakers can prepare for potential trade shifts. More

First Person: Brent Omdahl, SVP Government Affairs for Global Wafers

Area Development Research Desk (Q1 2025)

The EVP for Government Affairs at GlobalWafers shares insights on a $3.5 billion investment in Sherman, Texas, workforce development, and how the CHIPS Act has reshaped semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. More

A Tale of Two Industrial Winds

Ermengarde Jabir PhD, Director of Economic Research, Moody’s (Q1 2025)

Shifting supply chains, evolving trade policies, and new investment trends are reshaping the industrial real estate landscape. More

All Roads Lead to Washington

Ken Biberaj, Executive Managing Director, Savills  (Q1 2025)

We are at the dawn of America’s next Industrial Revolution, and it will be shaped in large part by the convergence of technological innovation, climate change and geopolitical pressures. More

Power, Policy, and Site Selection in 2025

Tracey Hyatt Bosman, Managing Director, BLS & Co. (Q1 2025)

Energy, tariffs, and trade are going to be a moving target in the coming months. More

Forging Solid Foundations

Travis Sayler, Senior Civil Engineer, Gresham Smith (Q1 2025)

Four Key Considerations for Building Strong Relationships with Local Governments in Industrial Development. More

Implementing Effective Sustainability Strategies for Building Projects

Brian Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Development, Graycor (Q1 2025)

Sustainability has moved from a buzzword to a critical business practice, driven by government regulations and building codes as well as end-user expectations. More

Large-Scale Projects Face Financing Challenges

Adam Glatz, Managing Director, Maxis Advisors (Q4 2024)

Executives have been forced to find new ways to finance projects. More

Why Decarbonization Goals Start with Site Selection

Mac Farr, Principal, Strategic Development Group (Q4 2024)

Decarbonization is transforming site selection as companies prioritize sustainability. More

NEW NIMBYism: A Threat to The U.S. Economy

Jacob Everett , Founder, Corsa Strategies (Q4 2024)

[There is a] false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’ - Isaac Asimov More

Navigating Federal Incentives to Achieve Sustainability Ambitions

Steven Tozier, Managing Director, EY (Q4 2024)

How to successfully take advantage of complex federal incentives for achieving sustainability goals. More

Best Practices in Incentives Procurement

Amy Gerber, Executive Managing Director, Business Incentives Practice, Cushman & Wakefield and Kathy Mussio, Managing Partner, Atlas Insight (Q4 2024)

Area Development Guest Editors Kathy Mussio and Amy Gerber, rounded up industry leaders to share their best practices for navigating economic development incentives. More

South Carolina Enacts Key Tax Credits to Boost Economic Development Efforts

John Wall, Partner, Burr & Forman and Jeff Allen, Partner, Burr & Forman (Q4 2024)

SCEDA priority legislation could boost state’s economic development efforts. More

Behind the U.S. Virgin Islands Plans to Become a Strategic Hub

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

A Jones Act exemption, Made in America status, and improved shipyard show promise. More

Top States for Doing Business in 2024: A Continued Legacy of Excellence

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q3 2024)

Certain states just have the right ingredients for attracting and nurturing business growth. The 2024 Top States for Doing Business rankings are in, and guess what? The Southern states are shining bright once again. More

Ensuring Compliance and Maximizing Incentive Benefits

Doug Heinz, Manager, Site Selection & Incentives Advisory, Kroll (Q3 2024)

Managing compliance is key to fully realize and maximize incentive benefits for your manufacturing projects. More

Green Jobs Boom in 2023: Is the IRA a Leading Factor?

Mike Chmura, Economist, Chmura Economics (Q3 2024)

Is the IRA driving a surge in green jobs, or is it part of a broader clean energy movement? More

The Critical Role of Real Estate in Site Selection Projects

Devin Hillsdon-Smith, Director, Integrated Site Selection - Industrial, Cushman & Wakefield (Q3 2024)

Strategically selecting sites that optimize economic, logistical, and sustainability factors, not only enhances operational efficiency but also secures a robust foundation for future growth and success. More

What the Latest EPA PFAS Rule Means for Site Due Diligence

Robin L. Main, Partner, Hinckley Allen (Q3 2024)

The new rule brings wide-ranging impacts for property owners and operators. More

Midwest becomes hotspot for semiconductor manufacturing and supply industries

Taylor Stepp, EY (Q2 2024)

Midwestern states compete for semiconductor investments, leveraging new incentives and educational partnerships to attract major industry players. More

First Person: Q&A with Tech Hubs Director Eric Smith

Area Development Research Desk (Q2 2024)

Exploring opportunities for manufacturing growth through the Federal Tech Hubs Program with insights from director Eric Smith on collaboration and regional innovation. More

How to Overcome NIMBYism in Data Centers

W. Ford Graham, Senior Vice President, McGuireWoods Consulting and Christopher D. Lloyd, Senior Vice President and Director, Infrastructure and Economic Development, McGuireWoods Consulting (Q2 2024)

A guide to turning community opposition into constructive criticism and assuaging fears about data center development. More

Location Matters to Your Carbon Goals

Tracey Hyatt Bosman, Managing Director, BLS & Co.; Tim Comerford, Senior Vice President, BLS & Co.; Michael Hirou, USA Chief Representative and Manager, Tractus Asia; and Andreas Dressler, Founder, Location Decisions (Q2 2024)

Exploring how geographical factors influence corporate renewable energy strategies and achievements. More

Buyer Beware: Navigating the Murky Waters of Site Selection

Barry I. Matherly, President and CEO, Hickey & Associates (Q2 2024)

Executives must meticulously evaluate site selectors, seeking those with a proven track record, deep industry insights, and a strategic approach to partnership. More

The Bring Your Own Energy (BYOE) Party Is Starting

Courtland Robinson, Director of Business Development, Brasfield & Gorrie (Q2 2024)

America is about to shift to decentralized energy and microgrids in a big, big way. More

Skilled Labor, Ample Energy, and Speed to Market Take Priority

Gregg Healy, Executive Vice President & Head of Industrial Services – North America, Savills (Q1 2024)

A location’s labor availability; responsive, pro-business local partners; and ability to support a large energy user are often the main drivers of the site selection decision. More

Site Selection Evolves

Isabel Cyr, Government Relations & Public Affairs Director, Lithion Technologies Inc. (Q1 2024)

Corporate respondents prioritize workforce talent, environmental factors, and permitting/regulatory ease in their location and expansion decisions. More

Manufacturing Projects Dominate the Deal Flow

Brett Bayduss, Senior Partner, Site Selection Group (Q1 2024)

The volume of manufacturing projects across the nation is rising, while office activity has been slow to recover from the pandemic. More

Consultants Survey Reflects Shift in Ranking of Site Selection Factors

Kathy Mussio, Managing Partner, Atlas Insight (Q1 2024)

A responsive state and local government, incentives offerings, and site readiness now outweigh costs in the location decision. More

38th Annual Corporate Survey: Are Unrealized Predictions of an Economic Slump Leading Small to Mid-Size Companies to Put Off Expansion Plans?

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2024)

Small and mid-size firms — which account for most of our Corporate Survey respondents — are holding their plans for new and expanded facilities in check despite economic news being better than what had been predicted. More

20th Annual Consultants Survey: Clients Prioritize Access to Skilled Labor, Responsive State & Local Government

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2024)

The responding consultants say economic pressures are creating the biggest potential impact for their clients’ location and expansion plans, with finding available skilled labor being the most important concern. More

First Person: Realizing the Inflation Reduction Act’s Full Potential

Brian Murphy, Americas Power, Utilities and Renewables Tax Leader, EY (Q1 2024)

Brian Murphy discusses how tax and finance can collaborate to advance a company’s key sustainability goals. More

ExxonMobil Secures Major Lease for Offshore Carbon Capture in Texas

Katherine Webster, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q4 2023)

ExxonMobil says the operation has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 100 million metric tons annually. More

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