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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Site Selection Factors / Strategy

Around the Horn: Advanced Manufacturing’s Next Move

Greg Matter, Vice Chair, Industrials , JLL and Meaghan Elwell, President, Industrials Division JLL Work Dynamics, JLL (Q3 2025)

JLL recently launched an Advanced Manufacturing group to meet the moment, and Area Development spoke with group leaders Greg Matter, Vice Chair, Industrials, and Meaghan Elwell, Division President of Global Industrials, to get their real estate playbook for the new era. This conversation has been edited for space and style. More
site-selection-numbers-vs-reality

Site Selection Numbers vs. Reality

Devin Hillsdon-Smith, Principal, Hyphen Strategies (Q3 2025)

Why You Should Question Every Stat in a Site Proposal. More
site-readiness-is-broken-what-manufacturers-should-demand-from-their-locations

Site Readiness Is Broken: What Manufacturers Should Demand From Their Locations

Bradley Migdal, Executive Managing Director, Business Incentives Practice, Cushman & Wakefield (Q3 2025)

Manufacturers can’t afford delays—here’s what to ask for before picking your next site. More
first-person-rick-hoskins-filter-kings-expansion-playbook

First Person: Filter King’s Expansion Playbook

Area Development Research Desk (Q3 2025)

CEO Rick Hoskins explains how the fast-growing air filter company selects its sites, scales its labor-heavy operation, and maintains speed-to-customer across multiple U.S. regions. More

Front Line: Building the Nation's First AI-Ready Workforce

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2025)

“Charm City” is forging technology partnerships to build an AI workforce equipped to serve every industry. More
summits-of-significance-why-pittsburghs-ai-and-energy-event-could-set-a-national-precedent

Summits of Significance: Why Pittsburgh’s AI and Energy Event Could Set a National Precedent

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q3 2025)

AI. Energy. $90 billion. Pittsburgh’s high-profile summit wasn’t just a photo op—it was a coordinated move to signal site readiness and sector leadership. Here’s why states are turning summits into strategy. More
lead-with-facts-land-the-deal

Lead with Facts, Land the Deal

Ben Worrell , Principal, McGuire Sponsel (Q3 2025)

Site selection starts with infrastructure, not charm — here’s how EDOs can prepare. More
optimizing-your-rail-served-transportation-network-strategy-before-steel

Optimizing Your Rail-Served Transportation Network: Strategy Before Steel

Rob Russell, Managing Partner, Russell-Kroese Partners and Shawntell Kroese, Managing Partner, Russell-Kroese Partners (Q2 2025)

Infrastructure can power your supply chain—but only when planned with foresight. More
rethinking-life-sciences-site-selection-in-a-resilient-and-dynamic-market

Rethinking Life Sciences Site Selection in a Resilient and Dynamic Market

Alan Reeves, Senior Managing Director, Global Strategy, Newmark (Q2 2025)

Planning new facilities now requires deeper segmentation, faster timelines, and more nuanced incentive approaches. 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
how-to-choose-the-right-site-for-your-factory-in-2025s-volatile-landscape

How to Choose the Right Site for Your Factory in 2025’s Volatile Landscape

Chris Urchell, Consulting Manager, Baker Tilly (Q2 2025)

Why manufacturers should treat site selection as a form of risk management — not just opportunity hunting. 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

First Person: Meaghan Elwell, Division President for JLL’s Industrials

Area Development Research Desk (Q2 2025)

Meaghan Elwell serves as the President of the Industrials Division at JLL Work Dynamics, where she oversees global outsourcing relationships across various sectors, including Manufacturing, Aviation, Automotive, Logistics, Oil & Gas, and Utilities. With over 20 years at JLL, she has extensive experience in managing corporate relationships and large real estate portfolios. More

First Person: René Buck, President & CEO, BCI Global

Area Development Research Desk (Q2 2025)

As founder and CEO of BCI Global, René Buck has led site selection projects and supply chain projects across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. We caught up with Buck to talk about the evolution of site selection, the impact of tariffs and geopolitics, and the advice he’s giving manufacturing executives right now. 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
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

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

2024's Leading Metro Locations Methodology

Area Development Research Desk (Q4 2024)

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

Kentucky’s Investment in Quality Sites is an Investment in its Future

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (Q4 2024)

We prioritize development-ready sites to attract businesses and jobs. More

2024's Leading Metro Locations: U.S. Cities on the Rise Amid an Economic Reshuffling

Area Development Research Desk (Q4 2024)

Area Development’s 2024 Leading Metro Locations report reveals shifting dynamics in America’s cities. More

2024's Leading Metro Locations Commentary: Amy Gerber

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

The 2024 metro rankings reflect a number of small metros that have successfully attracted industrial projects in the last five years. More

2024's Leading Metro Locations Commentary: Chris Chmura

Chris Chmura, Ph.D. , CEO & Founder, Chmura Economics (Q4 2024)

Nearly four years after COVID locked down the U.S. economy, the top 50 Leading Metro Locations in 2024 still depict the ripple effect of the shift to remote work. More

Around the Horn: A Discussion About the Cost, Sustainability, and Innovation in Rail Infrastructure for Modern Supply Chains

Area Development Research Desk (Q3 2024)

A discussion with JC Renshaw (Savills), Joe Dunlap (Legacy Investing) and Matt Powers (OnPace Partners), about the state of rail infrastructure for site selectors. 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

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

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

First Person: Scott Kupperman, Owner, Kupperman Location Solutions (KLS)

Area Development Research Desk (Q3 2024)

Area Development interviewed Scott Kupperman about factors affecting food processing site selection, including cost pressures, geographic preferences, financial considerations, automation, labor shortages, and sustainability. 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

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

Crafting Effective Incentive Packages

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

Tailoring financial incentives to maximize project success and attract manufacturing investments. 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

The Critical Role of Real Estate in Site Selection Projects

Devin Hillsdon-Smith, Principal, Hyphen Strategies (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

Mitigating Site Risks for Industrial Projects

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

What the Latest Tech Hubs Funding Means for Site Selection Executives

Area Development Research Desk (Q3 2024)

Manufacturing executives must consider the diverse locations, supply chain resilience, workforce development, and governance structures of the Tech Hubs. Aligning new facility plans with these hubs can enhance competitiveness, reduce operational risks, and contribute to long-term growth. 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

Welcome to The Great Electron Race

Bradley Migdal, Executive Managing Director, Business Incentives Practice, Cushman & Wakefield (Q2 2024)

The great electron race is underway, and those who innovate and adapt will shape the future of our continually evolving digital society. More

Exclusive Research