Frontline
Recent Features
A Single Front Door for Corporate Investment in Fort Worth
Manufacturers and corporate real estate executives often talk about speed to market and clarity of process as deciding factors in site selection. Fort Worth is testing what happens when a city reorganizes itself around those principles.
Nestlé’s Arizona Plant Puts Flexibility, Water Innovation, and Robotics to Work
A lightning-fast build, fully automated systems, and a near-zero-waste water loop make this beverage factory a model for sustainable, high-speed manufacturing.
How Greeley, Colorado Is Using Aquifers to Future-Proof Its Economy
Faced with the prospect of building a massive $700 million surface reservoir, Greeley instead pursued something few communities have dared to try.
A Road to Bacon Production
A voluntary access road, last-minute land deals, and a workforce-first strategy helped Bowling Green beat 99 other sites for Tyson’s bacon megaproject.
Dayton, Ohio Poised to Build “Doomsday” Planes
Dayton, Ohio has long been recognized as the birthplace of aviation, and it is once again proving its strategic importance to the aerospace industry.
The Colossus of Memphis: Elon Musk’s Supercomputing Investment Transforms the Region
St. Louis Aerospace Sector Takes Flight with $5 Billion in Investments and New Task Force
Mound City emerges as a hub for aerospace investments and jobs.
AEP Ohio Proposes Controversial Data Center Rate Hike Amid Power Demand Surge
AEP Ohio, the state’s largest power provider, has proposed a controversial new rate structure targeting data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations, prompting strong opposition from tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.
From Steel to Silicon: Chicago’s South Works Site to Host Largest U.S. Quantum Computing Hub
The $2.2 million project will transform the former industrial site into a cutting-edge quantum computing facility, advancing Chicago’s role in the tech industry.
Red Sea Pharma Crisis Pushing Logistics Advancements
Companies need to navigate the stormy waters of the Red Sea amid Houthi threats and global supply chain challenges.
Solutions Needed for Truck Driver Shortage
The supply chain continues to be negatively affected by a shortage of long-haul truckers, in particular, but recruiting more military veterans and women may be part of the solution.
Impact of the Latest Minimum Wage Increases
The new year brings some significant changes that will impact employers who have entry-level workers, with 22 states raising their minimum wages effective January 1st.
Brownfields Offer Redevelopment Opportunities
Found in both urban and rural areas and often with infrastructure in place, brownfield sites can be revitalized and reused with the proper remediation plan in place.
Electrification of Industrial Processes
Reducing the use of fossil fuels in industrial processes will help cut costs while reducing GHG emissions.
Satisfying the Semiconductor Industry’s Workforce Needs
As the semiconductor industry announces plans to grow domestic production, it is facing a workforce shortage.
Green Energy Companies Building a Qualified Workforce
Labor unions and the offshore wind energy industry are working together to advance the transition to clean energy.
Water Supply Increasingly Affecting Location Decisions
Over the last few years, there has been a heightened focus on abundant access to water for companies seeking new locations.
Expanding the EV Battery Pipeline
The need to produce EV batteries is presenting opportunities in lithium battery recycling facility expansions.
The Growth of Indoor and Vertical Farming
In an attempt to deal with the vagaries of weather and changing climate, farmers are turning to vertical and other high-tech indoor farms.
Taking an Expanded View of Climate Change
Climate change, corporate sustainability/ESG ratings, and the use of renewables are becoming increasingly important to companies as the planet heats up.
Unionization Efforts Trending Upward
According to the experts, respecting and listening to employees’ concerns is key to keeping unionizing efforts at bay.
Performing Physical Tasks Remotely
Rapid advances in automation are even allowing some tasks in manufacturing facilities to be tackled remotely.
Extreme Weather Events Factor into Location and Sustainability Decisions
The risk of extreme weather events is increasingly being factored into companies’ location decisions, as are sustainability initiatives to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.
U.S. Automakers Look to Semiconductor Partners
In response to supply chain challenges and in order to expand production of AVs and EVs, U.S. automakers are looking to design the highly coveted chips in-house.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Digitization
Although the pandemic accelerated growth in e-commerce, will companies continue to increase their investment in digital technologies?
Infrastructure Investment Faces Hurdles
Projects funded by the infrastructure bill are projected to create nearly a million jobs — but filling those jobs may present a challenge.
Finding, Creating, and Supporting Talent
By helping to recruit and train workers, the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program gives companies located in Virginia a competitive edge.
Changing the Definition of MSAs
Will the proposed redefinition of Metropolitan Statistical Areas and subsequent funding communities receive affect your company’s location decision?
U.S. Supply Chains Face Critical Stage
The pandemic accelerated the reexamination of U.S. supply chains, and a new report sets out a path for addressing vulnerabilities.
Phillip Morris International Starting Building Before Plans
How a factory went from an idea to operational in about two years.
Peek a Boo Data Centers
AI’s power hunger is pushing data centers underground, underwater—and soon into orbit—redefining cooling, reliability, and sustainable energy.
Building the Nation's First AI-Ready Workforce
“Charm City” is forging technology partnerships to build an AI workforce equipped to serve every industry.
Laying the Future’s Foundation in Rowen
Georgia’s newest innovation district bets big on climate-ready infrastructure and long-term planning.
Reclaiming the Launchpad
How Mississippi is turning a federal legacy into a commercial space hub.
Taking a Deep Dive into Suppliers’ Labor Force
Heightened supply chain visibility will let manufacturers know if their suppliers are using forced labor, which puts them at risk for legal penalties as well as damage to their brand.
Is Reshoring Production the Answer to Supply Chain Woes?
In light of supply chain challenges post-pandemic, some manufacturers have decided to reshore their production, with varying results.
