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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Site Selection Factors / Strategy

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
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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
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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, 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

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

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

In Focus: Will Serve Letters and Right-of-Way Acquisitions in Site Selection

David MacNamara, Director, Site Selection and Product Development , KPMG (Q2 2024)

Exploring the nuances of utility commitments and legal access. 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

Resiliency: The Case for Fortifying Business against Climate Change

Jose Beceiro, Director, Site Selection and Incentives Advisory, Kroll (Q2 2024)

The new frontier in site selection for companies has everything to do with keeping things running during increasingly wild storms and weather patterns. More

Why You Need to Know the Three GEOs of FDI

Alexandra Segers, General Manager, Tochi Advisors and Michael Johnson, Shareholder, Baker Donelson (Q2 2024)

Exploring the forces affecting Foreign Direct Investment into the United States and how it is affecting current site selection processes. 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

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

Editor’s Note: Electric Power Demands Key to Location Decisions

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q1 2024)

The consumption of electricity is only predicted to increase as the digital transformation of industry continues and, consequently, access to electricity has become a dominant site selection factor. More

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