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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Construction / Project Planning

the-legal-limits-of-dei-in-incentives-agreements-hiring-and-contracting

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

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
rebuilding-the-industrial-base-requires-a-commitment-to-ecosystem-formation

Rebuilding the Industrial Base Requires a Commitment to Ecosystem Formation

Ken Biberaj, Executive Managing Director, Savills  (Q2 2025)

A return to American manufacturing demands more than factories — it requires coordinated, community-wide ecosystem development More
assessing-risk-assessment

Assessing Risk Assessment

John Bourdeaux, President & CEO, AdvanceCT (Q2 2025)

Companies are looking beyond cost and factoring in culture, politics, and community fit for resilience. More
what-you-need-to-know-about-nmtcs

What You Need to Know About NMTCs

Thane Hutcheson, President, Five Points Strategic Advisors (Q2 2025)

New market tax credits offer millions in upfront funding for projects that create jobs and serve underserved communities. More
why-art-belongs-in-industrial-spaces

Why Art Belongs in Industrial Spaces

Jennifer Brener Seay, Founder and CEO , Art + Artisans (Q2 2025)

Once dismissed as decorative, workplace art is now being embraced as a powerful tool for improving employee well-being, productivity, and a company’s public image. More
scaling-up-without-falling-short

Scaling Up Without Falling Short

David Verner, Director, Energy Strategy, Gresham Smith (Q2 2025)

Scaling a pilot into full production requires smart planning, the right team, and constant flexibility. More
a-zebra-in-the-room

A Zebra in the Room

Olivia S. Byrne, Esquire, K&L Gates LLP (Q2 2025)

A surprising encounter reveals why environmental due diligence isn’t just paperwork — it’s protection. More
get-your-mega-site-project-ready

Get Your Mega Site ‘Project Ready’

Ramya Gowda, Managing Director, Global Strategy Consulting, Newmark and Carrie Zethmayr, Managing Director, Global Strategy Consulting, Newmark (Q2 2025)

Preparing a mega site requires more than acreage and ambition—it means aligning zoning, utilities, and documentation to reduce investor risk, compress timelines, and compete for transformative manufacturing and industrial projects. 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
siting-for-things-that-go-boom

Siting For Things That Go Boom

Tyler Keel, Engineering Project Manager, Burns & McDonnell and Courtney Dunbar, Site Selection & Economic Development Leader, Burns & McDonnell (Q1 2025)

Site selectors and engineers must be extra cautious dealing with energetics, like ammunition and explosives. 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

Designing Beyond the Assembly Line

Stephen White, Director of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, Albert Kahn Associates, Inc (Q1 2025)

Comprehensive planning transforms manufacturing facilities into hubs of efficiency and community growth, addressing workforce needs, infrastructure, and sustainability. More

The Rise of Joint Venture Agreements in New Construction Projects

Amy Gerber, Executive Managing Director, Business Incentives Practice, Cushman & Wakefield (Q4 2024)

Collaborative joint ventures spread risk and ensure successful project outcomes. 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

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

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

Microsoft-Three Mile Island Deal Could Signal Path for Nuclear Power to Strengthen Partnerships with Big Tech

Gabriella Iannetta, Staff Writer, Area Development  (Q4 2024)

Nuclear power and big tech form new energy partnerships for sustainability. More

Retail Construction: Adapting and Thriving in a Changing Market

Brian Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Development, Graycor (Q4 2024)

Retailers must adapt to experiential trends to thrive in today's market. More

The Crucial Role of Hazardous Material Awareness in Manufacturing Facility Design

Jennifer Carr, AIA, Industrial Technical Practice Leader, Gresham Smith and Philip Garcia, RA, Senior Architect, Gresham Smith (Q4 2024)

How to plan manufacturing facilities with safety in mind. More

Semiconductors’ Fragile Relationship With Water May Be Tested

Catherine Tymkiw (Q3 2024)

Exploring the water dilemma in semiconductor manufacturing: how the industry's growth is increasing demand for a scarce resource and the innovative strategies companies are adopting to manage their water use in water-stressed regions. More

Nice to meet you, dear reader. Call me Andy.

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q3 2024)

More

Managing Community Sentiment and Activism

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

Effectively addressing concerns and building community support for successful site selection. More

Engaging Local Stakeholders for Site Selection Success

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

Why it’s so important to build strong relationships to secure support and facilitate site selection success. More

Navigating Non-Disclosure Agreements in Site Selection

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

How streamlining the NDA process helps protect sensitive information and expedites site selection. More

Understanding the Importance of Speed in Closing Deals

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

Accelerating the site selection process can help you gain a competitive edge and secure prime locations. More

The Role of Data-Driven Site Selection in Modern Manufacturing

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

Why it’s crucial to leverage data and analytics to make informed and strategic site selection decisions. More

Blueprint for Success: Unveiling the Secrets of an Effective Design Decision-Making Process

Randy Drake, P.E., Project Management Department Lead, Gresham Smith (Q3 2024)

Discover the key steps to making informed, timely decisions in construction projects, ensuring cost, schedule, and quality are managed effectively from start to finish. 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

Understanding AI’s Place in Capital Construction

Brian Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Development, Graycor (Q3 2024)

Adopting AI in capital projects could revolutionize planning, design, and construction, driving efficiency and sustainability while addressing challenges like limited expertise and data complexity. 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

Mitigating Site Risks for Industrial Projects

Brian Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Development, Graycor and Jyot Parmar, General Manager, Southeast, Graycor (Q3 2024)

New technologies and improved planning identify and address site issues, saving millions in potential delays and mitigation costs. More

How to Master the Maze of Federal Funding in Manufacturing Site Selection

Shannon O'Hare, Executive Managing Director, Business Incentives Advisory, Total Workplace, Cushman & Wakefield (Q2 2024)

What should you consider while working through the complexities of federal incentives and timelines to optimize your facility planning and execution? More

U.S. Industrial Real Estate Cooling Off After Rapid Growth

Jason Price, Senior Director of Research for U.S. Industrial Sector, Cushman & Wakefield (Q2 2024)

Exploring the quiet change: a look at the shifting dynamics in industrial real estate. More

The Risks and Realities of Megasite Mania: Navigating the Mid-Tier Client Landscape

Courtney Dunbar, Site Selection & Economic Development Leader, Burns & McDonnell (Q2 2024)

The recent focus on projects requiring megasites may cause communities to lose sight of developing smaller-scale sites that could bring mid-tier companies to their communities, fostering job creation and diversified economic growth. More

Front Line: Green Concrete Initiatives Fight Climate Change

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2024)

Innovative measures and legislation propel the adoption of eco-friendly building materials. More

First Person: Making Facilities “Fit” for the Digital Future

Stephanie Dorsey, CEO, Siemens Real Estate Services, Americas (Q1 2024)

Area Development’s staff editor, Lisa Bastian, interviewed Stephanie Dorsey, CEO of Siemens Real Estate in the Americas, about the changing real estate needs of today’s innovative and growth companies. More

Why Smaller May Be Better for Some Businesses

Tim-Logan, Partner, Parker Poe (Q1 2024)

Although records have been set for massive industrial spaces, the market has been shifting to smaller buildings. More

In Focus: 5 Smart Building Resolutions for 2024

John Fleming, Vice President, Johnson Controls (Q1 2024)

Building owners may look at the new year as a time to make good on goals they set for their buildings in previous years – whether that means upgrading outdated technology, focusing on net-zero carbon goals, or enhancing occupant experience. More

Up Next for Industrial in 2024

Jason Price, Senior Director of Research for U.S. Industrial Sector, Cushman & Wakefield (Q1 2024)

Here is a look at the normalizing sector’s upcoming supply, demand, and pricing outlook. More

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