An examination of how Mississippi is structuring large industrial projects: maintaining excess power capacity, pre serving sites with utilities in place, and coordinating workforce development through a single entity to reduce timing gaps across infrastructure, permitting, and hiring.
For Philippe Mantelet, a $2 billion biologics facility represents more than a capital investment. In this interview, he outlines how UCB approaches site selection — balancing speed, infrastructure, talent, and long-term certainty — to make decisions that hold up well beyond the initial buildout.
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.
Astrobotic CEO John Thornton says the race to establish sites on the Moon is already underway—and location matters as much as it does on Earth.
Karis Cold’s Ken Verne joins Area Development to talk about urban infill opportunities, automation readiness, ESG strategy, and why facilities need to be designed for 2030—not just today’s needs.
With QTS rapidly scaling to meet hyperscaler and enterprise demand across North America and Europe, Co-CEO David Robey shares his perspective on site selection, utilities, incentives, and what’s next for the industry. Robey, who previously served as COO, brings a tactical mindset to an evolving set of location priorities.
LiquidStack CEO Joe Capes on choosing Texas for expansion, working through AI supply chain shocks, and why hot water is the future of cooling.
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.
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.
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.
Area Development interviewed Scott Kupperman about factors affecting food processing site selection, including cost pressures, geographic preferences, financial considerations, automation, labor shortages, and sustainability.
Exploring opportunities for manufacturing growth through the Federal Tech Hubs Program with insights from director Eric Smith on collaboration and regional innovation.
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.
Brian Murphy discusses how tax and finance can collaborate to advance a company’s key sustainability goals.
Creating an exceptional business environment to attract certain industries can be a daunting task for any community’s leaders. However, it can be done with focused introspection, research, and strong partnerships. Area Development’s staff editor Lisa Bastian asked Michael Flynn, senior director of Economic Development at Destination Medical Center (Rochester, MN), for his ideas on ecosystem formation.
Companies are continuing to automate, which is increasing their demand for power while, at the same time, they try to meet sustainability goals and remain competitive.
Rare earth magnets are critical to keeping America’s economy strong and protecting our way of life. With this in mind, Area Development’s staff editor Lisa Bastian asked Tom Schneberger, CEO of USA Rare Earth, to share his perspective on this issue.
The construction industry continues to face a skilled labor shortage, with worker scarcity worsening since the beginning of the pandemic. With this in mind, Area Development’s staff editor Lisa Bastian asked Joseph Natarelli, Marcum’s National Construction Leader, to share his perspective on this issue.
To find out more about the current cyber threats companies are facing and their responses to such threats, Area Development’s staff writer, Lisa Bastian, interviewed Michael Morris, a managing director in Deloitte’s Cyber Detect & Respond practice.
Area Development’s staff editor, Lisa Bastian, recently posed some question to American Crane’s CEO & President, Karen Norheim, about how overcoming pandemic challenges has strengthened the company for what lies ahead, as well as opportunities for women in manufacturing.
Area Development’s editor recently asked Robin van Puyenbroeck, executive director of business development for the WTCA, about trends in global trade and investment, top challenges, supply chain woes, and how to prepare for the next global crisis.
Policies with regard to environmental, social, and governance issues have become increasingly important to all companies, as well as their shareholders, in the 21st century’s “sustainability revolution.”
With COVID-19 changing the reality of the world’s population, it has undoubtedly affected the way businesses operate. Area Development recently discussed the use of robotics and other automation technologies in response to these changes with Carolina Weidler, leader of Hendy’s Science and Technology Practice Group.
In August, Rocki Rockingham was named Chief Human Resources Officer for GE Appliances. Area Development’s editor recently asked her about the company’s strategy to build upon its recent global “Great Place to Work” recognition and to create a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent.
Hemlock Semiconductor in Saginaw, Michigan, is the nation’s largest manufacturer of ultra-pure polysilicon that is sliced by other manufacturers into wafers to be used in solar cells and semiconductors. Area Development’s editor recently asked the company’s senior vice president of Advocacy and Engagement about the recent shortage in the global production of semiconductors that has been causing delays in the manufacture of products utilizing these chips.
Area Development’s staff editor Mark Crawford recently asked Ericsson’s Dan Kerber, vice president of digital services business operations for North America — who helps companies improve their financial and operational metrics through improved resource management processes — about his thoughts on leadership, especially the need for “soft skills” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Area Development’s editor recently asked PPG’s Tim Knavish — who is responsible for the architectural coatings business in USCA, EMEA, and Asia Pacific regions, the global automotive refinish business, the Latin America region, and the digital and information technology functions — about his company’s response to COVID and important operating concerns.
Michelin’s Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics Rick Williams recently answered questions posted to him by Area Development’s editor about fulfilling a company’s workforce needs in these unprecedented times.
In light of the global pandemic and subsequent rise in e-commerce, companies are re-examining their supply chains, inventories, and necessary warehouse/distribution space.
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, Area Development asked SSOE Group’s Michael Vetter about what companies are doing to keep their operations up and running and their employees safe.
Area Development recently asked SSOE Group’s CEO Vince DiPofi about his organization’s evolving geographic and industrial markets, use of technology, and the effect of innovations in design and construction.
Acronis, a Singapore-based global leader in cyber protection, recently opened its operations center — featuring a cutting-edge R&D office as well as its largest and fastest-growing data center — in Tempe, Arizona. Area Development asked Acronis’ CEO Serguei Beloussov about the latest issues in cyber protection and why the company chose Tempe for its facility.
Area Development recently asked Steve Hess, VP of Real Estate Development at DHL Supply Chain, about issues affecting companies’ global supply chains. DHL is the largest global operator of logistics space, having acquired and/or developed over 20 million square feet of industrial space in the last several years alone, providing both internal and external customers with individually tailored real estate solutions, says Hess.
Area Development’s staff writer, Mark Crawford, recently spoke to Amanda Hutchings, president of Peak Manufacturing in Pleasant Lake, Mich., about addressing the looming shortage of workers in manufacturing by hiring women, who are underrepresented in this field, and educating the youngest generation about the rewarding careers that await them in manufacturing.
When it comes to site selection, constant monitoring of market trends will allow a company to balance its space with the total costs to occupy the space
Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important concern for businesses of all types and sizes. To find out more about the cyber threats these companies are facing, Area Development recently interviewed Oliver Dehning, CEO for U.S. operations at Hornetsecurity, a cybersecurity firm focused on cloud-based solutions.
Support for fab labs in high schools, trade schools, and community colleges will increase the number of workers with the skills manufacturers want, thereby creating a “new collar” workforce.
Contributed Content
The Indy region offers great diversity when it comes to lifestyle and the pillars of the business community.
Area Development recently asked Jack Uldrich, a global futurist and author, about today’s disruptive technologies and what business leaders need to do to stay ahead of the curve. Uldrich frequently speaks about technology, change management, and leadership to Fortune 100 corporations, venture capital firms, associations, NGOs, and government bodies around the world.
Area Development’s editor recently asked Kim Nichols, the CEO of Franklin Apprenticeships, about how modernized apprenticeships can change the perception of the manufacturing industry while helping to satisfy its workforce needs, as well as the needs of other advanced industries.
Industry experts from site selection, construction, law, and supply chain consulting weigh in on what's derailing projects in 2026 — and what it takes to keep deals alive.
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