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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Economy / Market Analysis

Mid-size Markets Competing for Business and Winning

David Hickey, Managing Director, Hickey & Associates (Q1 2020)

Workforce availability with the necessary skills and local partnerships are two trends driving investment to mid-size markets. More

Investment Follows Talent to Mid-Size Markets

Drew Repp, Content Manager, Emsi (Q1 2020)

The affordability of mid-sized communities has made them attractive to tech-savvy workers who, in turn, are drawing business investment to those locales. More

In Focus: Mitigating Risk with Aggressive Support in Economic Development

Stephanie Few, Womble Bond Dickinson (Q1 2020)

Having an economic development program in place, ready to go, will help a community get back on its feet once the devastating threat of COVID-19 is behind us. More

34th Annual Corporate Survey & the 16th Annual Consultants Survey

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q1 2020)

Plans for new and expanded facilities among the smaller firms (in terms of employment numbers) responding to our Corporate Survey are not as robust as those of larger firms that employ consultants to help in location analysis and site decisions. More

In Focus: A Holistic Balance Sheet: The Key to Successful Real Estate

Tray Anderson, Industrial & Logistics Leader, Americas, Cushman & Wakefield (Q1 2020)

As the industrial landscape shifts, occupiers need to seek out opportune markets as well as evaluate the impact of labor costs in order to be successful. More

Revitalized Cities: Which Locations Have Outperformed and Why?

Matthew Mowell, Senior Economist, Oxford Economics (Q1 2020)

Many locations that saw economic contractions have been able to revitalize themselves by instituting pro-business policies, developing innovative workforces, and drawing the right industry mix — sprinkled with a little bit of luck! More

2019 Leading Metro Locations: Pacific and South-Atlantic Metros Dominate the List

Area Development Research Desk and Lisa A. Bastian (Q4 2019)

Metro areas that are hotbeds of technology lead the pack, joined by others showing manufacturing prowess, which has a large economic ripple effect. More

FDI Surges Ahead in Canada

Marc Beauchamp, President & CEO, The CAI Global Group (Location Canada 2019)

Canada continues to be a premier investment destination and is dedicated to protecting its key industries, investing in innovation, and developing its workforce. More

In Focus: Last-Mile Distribution Drives Industrial Demand in Secondary Markets

Ben Newell, Senior Vice President, Logistics Group, Transwestern Development Company (Q3 2019)

Retailers are rethinking their supply chain management and locating closer to the end customer to meet their lightning-fast delivery expectations. More

Growing Markets Positioned for Corporate Location Success

David J. Robinson, Principal, The Montrose Group, LLC (Q2 2019)

Corporate site location projects begin with understanding which regional markets are growing and will provide a long-term pool of skilled workers and a successful economy attractive to the company and its supply chain. More

People Analytics Helps Define the Search for Skilled Labor

Wayne Gearey, Chief Data Scientist, Emsi and Amy Fobes, Vice President of Business Development, Emsi (Q2 2019)

The analysis of human capital flows across markets and regions measures how, why, and where talent and skill clusters are creating and supporting sustainable market strength. More

What Makes a Successful Innovation District?

Stephen Coulston, Principal, Perkins+Will (Q2 2019)

Prosperous innovation districts have diversified economies and are integrated into the fabric of a community, drawing workers who seek out such environments and the companies that are trying to attract them. More

33rd Annual Corporate Survey & the 15th Annual Consultants Survey

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q1 2019)

Our survey Results indicate that despite an uncertain operating environment and continuing concerns about the availability of skilled labor, plans for new and expanded facilities still are on the horizon. More

Site Selection 2020: Riding the Waves of Disruption into the Next Decade

Bradley Migdal, Senior Managing Director, Business Incentives Practice, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. (Q1 2019)

Following our Miami Consultants Forum, Area Development discussed the current and evolving state of the site selection industry and industrial real estate market with Brad Migdal, Senior Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield. More

Frontline: What’s Driving Down FDI?

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2019)

The fear of trade wars and protectionist policies are being blamed for the overall decline in global foreign direct investment. More

Mid-Sized Urban Markets Compare Well with Mega-Cities

David J. Robinson, Principal, The Montrose Group, LLC (Q1 2019)

With their economic vitality and lower cost of doing business compared to their mega-city counterparts, growing mid-sized urban markets are succeeding in retaining and attracting high-wage jobs. More

One Year Later: The Impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Kyle Syers, Senior Consultant, Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. (Q4 2018)

We are just beginning to see the economic effect of the TCJA, passed in December 2017, but tax cuts are among many factors influencing U.S. investment decisions. More

The Key to Industrial Site Selection? Consumers and Labor

Rob Wheeler, Senior Vice President, Industrial Integrated Portfolio Services , JLL (Q4 2018)

Following our Consultants Forum, Area Development discussed the state of industrial real estate in an evolving world with Rob Wheeler, Senior Vice President, Integrated Portfolio Services, at JLL. More

Is Your New Economy Workforce Hiding Where You Least Expect It?

Chris Schwinden, Vice President, Site Selection Group (Q4 2018)

Area Development recently interviewed Chris Schwinden, Vice President, Site Selection Group, about how companies can assess a location’s true workforce potential in this exceptionally tight labor market. More

Is the Automotive Aftermarket Immune to E-Commerce?

Jeffrey Green, Managing Director, Global Occupier Services, Cushman & Wakefield and Ben Conwell, Senior Managing Director and Practice Leader, eCommerce Advisory Group , Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. (2018 Auto/Aero Site Guide)

Auto parts suppliers are responding to the growth in e-commerce with a multi-pronged strategy, from the expansion of retail locations to the addition of regional and “mega” distribution hubs. More

2018 Top States for Doing Business: Georgia Ranks #1 Fifth Year in a Row

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine and Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2018)

Competitive labor environments and leading workforce development programs, low taxes and utility costs, favorable regulatory environments, and cooperative state governments are among the top-ranked states’ pro-business attributes. More

Which Locations Are Drawing FinTech Companies?

Tedd Carrison, Financial Analyst, CBRE and Kristin Sexton, Senior Managing Director, Labor Analytics, CBRE (Q3 2018)

Irrespective of their size, the strongest markets for financial technology companies have a workforce that aligns to best serve all distinctive skill set and cost requirements. More

Explaining the Emergence of Smaller and Western Metros

Joshua Wright, VP, Economic and Workforce Development, Emsi (Q2 2018)

With fast-growing populations and diverse economies, states in the West and Mountain region are showing significant economic growth, while smaller metros are benefitting from their larger urban neighbors’ spillover effect. More

Texas Today: Where Businesses Succeed

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2018)

The state of Texas continues to gain accolades for its pro-business environment, which is sustained by its skilled workforce, low taxes, favorable regulatory environment, and deal-closing funds among other attributes. More

2018 Leading Metro Locations: Pacific and Mountain Metros Dominate the List

Area Development Research Desk and Karen Thuermer, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2018)

The 2018 Leading Metro Locations reflect the nation’s overall economic growth as the country enjoys the second-longest economic expansion on record, with many small and mid-size metros exhibiting economic strength. More

The Art and Science of Assessing the Labor Market

Doug Rasmussen, Director, Site Selection & Incentives Advisory, Duff & Phelps (Q2 2018)

Only through a combination of data analysis (the science) and labor interviews (the art) can a company be sure of choosing a location where its workforce needs are satisfied now and in the future. More

In Focus: Steel Tariffs to Prevent U.S. Economic Growth

Stephen Gray, CEO, Gray  (Q2 2018)

The recently enacted tariffs on steel and aluminum have created an uncertain investment climate for both domestic and foreign firms, causing companies to rethink their supply chain strategies and put their expansion plans on hold. More

2018 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Recognize States’ Efforts to Attract High-Value Investment & Large Job-Creating Projects

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine and Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2018)

More than 200 projects across multiple states brought with them the promise -- in total -- of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment. More

Retaking the Rust Belt

Rich Forslund, Executive Vice President, Colliers International (Q2 2018)

Across the Midwest, new life is being breathed into old industrial facilities that are becoming home to IoT incubators, office space, and other mixed-use development. More

32nd Annual Corporate Survey & the 14th Annual Consultants Survey

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q1 2018)

Although the U.S. economy is strong, there may still be some hesitancy in investment decisions brought about by an uncertain legislative environment. More

Unemployment Numbers Reflect a Recovering Economy

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q4 2017)

As the U.S. economy has rebounded from the Great Recession and added jobs, unemployment has fallen to record lows in many states, creating worker shortages that need to be addressed. More

Tech Firms Find New Opportunity in Emerging Hotspots

Steffen Kammerer, Senior Vice President, Technology Practice Group, JLL (Q3 2017)

“Hidden gems” like Sacramento and Albany are winning more industry interest thanks to affordable, talent-rich ecosystems. More

The Select Few Metros Where Wages Are Really Growing

Joshua Wright, VP, Economic and Workforce Development, Emsi (Q2 2017)

A recent analysis from Emsi suggests that the labor market might not be as tight as the data shows — or at least not tight enough for businesses in aggregate to significantly drive up wages. More

Leading Locations for 2017: West Coast "Tech" Cities Top List, Smaller MSA's Show Workforce Chops

Area Development Research Desk and Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2017)

It’s not surprising to see larger MSAs at the top of the list due to their economic diversity and advantages of scale. But, mid-size and small cities built upon clusters that are in high demand, and where a prime workforce exists, can also be economic powerhouses. More

Texas: Attracting Large and Small Companies Through Innovative Initiatives

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2017)

State and local leaders are continuing to drive economic growth in Texas through pro-business policies and workforce training initiatives. More

2017 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Recognize States Compiling Healthy Rosters of New and Expanded Facilities

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine and Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2017)

The work of economic development is a complicated mix of salesmanship, customer service, technical and legal expertise, communications, relationship-building, and a healthy dose of good fortune. More

Thinking Local: How to Find Manufacturing Talent

Joshua Wright, VP, Economic and Workforce Development, Emsi (Q2 2017)

The best answer to the skills-shortage question is that it depends on where you’re located, the positions you’re looking to fill - and perhaps most importantly, the compensation you’re willing to offer. More

Corporate Tax Reform to Have Positive, Domino Effect on U.S. Industrial Economy

Stephen Gray, CEO, Gray  (Q2 2017)

While the timing and details of a new corporate tax policy are still uncertain, it will change the business landscape for U.S. companies of all sizes for the better. More

Industry Leaders Speak on Issues Facing Small Manufacturers, and Optimism for the Future

Gray Construction (Q2 2017)

Small-to-medium-sized manufacturers are the backbone of the supply chain, making the parts and products that enable their larger counterparts to compete, grow and thrive. They constitute nearly 90 percent of manufacturing's contribution to the economy so it’s vital to understand and address the issues facing them. More

Workforce Supply and Demand in the Automotive Industry

Joshua Wright, VP, Economic and Workforce Development, Emsi (Q1 2017)

More technology and automation means auto makers require fewer workers (with relatively low labor costs), but their workforce needs are increasingly tech-focused—a trend that’s going to accelerate with the rise of driverless cars and trucks. More

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