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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Logistics / Infrastructure

the-quest-for-logistics-supremacy

The Quest for Logistics Supremacy

Greg Canfield , Managing Director of Economic Development, Burr & Forman (Q2 2025)

With supply chain pressures mounting, America’s logistics network is being rebuilt from the ground up and states are competing for the infrastructure edge by investing in ports, air cargo, and cold storage. More
manufacturings-new-risk-game-for-site-selection

Manufacturing’s New Risk Game for Site Selection

Alexandra Segers, General Manager, Tochi Advisors and Michael Johnson, Shareholder, Baker Donelson (Q2 2025)

Companies face growing challenges as tariffs, political shifts, and trade policies disrupt location strategies. More
the-new-math-behind-mexico-and-us-manufacturing-decisions

The New Math Behind Mexico and U.S. Manufacturing Decisions

Jenna Hassam, Senior Associate, Business Consulting and Site Selection, JLL (Q2 2025)

Rising wages, grid strain, and policy shifts are changing the calculus for manufacturers in North America. More
why-cold-storage-may-defy-the-tariff-crunch-

Why Cold Storage May Defy the Tariff Crunch

Kimberly Graulein, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q2 2025)

Food related projects remain resilient as tariff pressures shake other sectors of commercial real estate 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

Around the Horn: North America’s Trade Tensions

Area Development Research Desk (Q1 2025)

Charlie Smith, managing director of geopolitical strategy at Newmark Global Strategy discusses the current trade tensions across North America and their implications with his colleagues, managing director Carlos Sanchez (based in Mexico) and senior managing director Gregg Wassmansdorf (based in Canada). More

Editor’s Note: The Future Is Now

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q1 2025)

More
navigating-the-new-era-of-scif-construction

Navigating the new era of SCIF construction

Brian Metras, Senior Vice President, Secure Environments Group Lead, Project Development Services, JLL  and Tom Taylor, Managing Director, Aerospace and Defense Group, JLL (Q1 2025)

Changing compliance standards, heightened geopolitical threats drive SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities) construction boom. More
us-tariff-outlook-key-signals-to-watch-in-2025

U.S. Tariff Outlook: Key Signals to Watch in 2025

Charlie Smith, Managing Director, Geopolitical Strategy at Newmark (Q1 2025)

How economic developers, manufacturers, and policymakers can prepare for potential trade shifts. More

A Tale of Two Industrial Winds

Ermengarde Jabir PhD, Director of Economic Research, Moody’s (Q1 2025)

Shifting supply chains, evolving trade policies, and new investment trends are reshaping the industrial real estate landscape. 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

The Battle to Break China’s Rare Earth Supply Chain Dominance

Catherine Tymkiw (Q4 2024)

U.S. faces challenges in reducing reliance on China for rare earths. More

The Role of Rail in Industrial Development

Area Development Research Desk (Q4 2024)

Area Development talked with Norfolk Southern’s GVP of Industrial Development, Craig Hudson, about the evolving importance of rail in site selection, supply chain sustainability, and emerging sectors like metals and advanced materials. 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

Driving the Future of Domestic Battery Recycling: A Conversation with Steven Wu, COO of ABTC

Area Development Research Desk (Q4 2024)

In this exclusive conversation with Area Development, Steven Wu, the newly minted Chief Operating Officer of American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), discusses ABTC’s strategy to play a pivotal role in the U.S. domestic supply chain. More

How Virginia Develops Sites and Mitigates Risk

Virginia Economic Development Partnership (Q4 2024)

Prepared sites are key to Virginia’s business and economic success. More

Behind the U.S. Virgin Islands Plans to Become a Strategic Hub

Kimberly Graulein, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q4 2024)

A Jones Act exemption, Made in America status, and improved shipyard show promise. More

What If the Longshoremen's Strike Had Persisted? Examining the Potential Economic Fallout

Katherine Webster, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q4 2024)

Could a prolonged strike have disrupted U.S. supply chains further? 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

Cold Storage: The Next Big Thing in Industrial Real Estate

Amy Gerber, Executive Managing Director, Business Incentives Practice, Cushman & Wakefield (Q3 2024)

Cold storage is emerging as a vital part of industrial real estate, driven by food safety, diversified supply chains, and the rise of online grocery shopping. More

Permitted Power Capacity Foreshadows Health of Regional Economies

Courtland Robinson, Director of Business Development, Brasfield & Gorrie (Q3 2024)

Diverse energy projects are addressing unique resource and climate considerations, with solar and wind power leading the charge in the transformation of America's energy landscape. 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

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

Emerging Markets in Aerospace: Navigating Federal Funding and Strategic Expansion

Tom Taylor, Managing Director, Aerospace and Defense Group, JLL (Q3 2024)

Strategic federal funding shifts are creating new growth opportunities in the aerospace sector. Here's how companies can navigate real estate choices, talent acquisition, and supply chain management to stay competitive. More

Understanding AI’s Place in Capital Construction

Brian Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Development, Graycor (Q3 2024)

Adopting AI in capital projects could revolutionize planning, design, and construction, driving efficiency and sustainability while addressing challenges like limited expertise and data complexity. More

Burns & McDonnell’s Role in Intuitive Machines' Lunar Production and Operations Center

Area Development Research Desk (Q3 2024)

The partnership highlights how collaboration and visionary facility design are reshaping the future of space exploration. 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

Managing Supply Chain Disruptions From the Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Grant Miller, Partner, Colliers International and Don Moss, Partner, Colliers International (Q2 2024)

Supply chain disruptions from the Baltimore bridge collapse prompt innovative solutions and renewed focus on resilience, as companies leverage lessons from the pandemic to navigate the crisis and ensure continuity in one of the busiest ports in the U.S. More

Frontline: Red Sea Pharma Crisis Pushing Logistics Advancements

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q2 2024)

Companies need to navigate the stormy waters of the Red Sea amid Houthi threats and global supply chain challenges. 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

Navigating the Dynamic Landscape of Logistics in Mexico

Maribel Gaytán, Strategic Consultant, Cushman & Wakefield (Q1 2024)

Companies considering nearshoring operations to Mexico will find a resilient and interconnected logistics network to handle their import and export processes. More

Up Next for Industrial in 2024

Jason Price, Senior Director of Research for U.S. Industrial Sector, Cushman & Wakefield (Q1 2024)

Here is a look at the normalizing sector’s upcoming supply, demand, and pricing outlook. More

Front Line: Solutions Needed for Truck Driver Shortage

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q1 2024)

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. More

The Logistics Analysis That Drives Industrial Site Selection

Joe Dunlap, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Legacy Investing and Grayson Scott, Senior Consultant, Supply Chain Advisory, CBRE (Q4 2023)

Finding the optimal site for a logistics facility often involves trade-offs between transportation, labor, and real estate costs, which may be lowered by incentives offered, as well as the need for speed to market. More

AI 101 for Site Selection

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q4 2023)

A data-driven approach, enabled by AI and other technology, is enabling those charged with site selection to make better informed decisions that will allow their companies to thrive. More

Future-Proofing Food & Beverage Facilities: Why Site Selection Matters

Brian Miller, Executive Vice President - Industrial, Gresham Smith (Q4 2023)

Access, utilities, workforce, regulatory issues and future-proofing are all key considerations for choosing the right location for a long-term investment. More

Clustering Distribution Near Manufacturing Operations: An Old Idea Gaining New Traction

Bruce Herbert, Strategic Advisor, TMX Transform (Q4 2023)

Real estate, labor, and transportation needs must be considered by companies considering a clustering strategy if they are to reap its full benefits. More

Kentucky’s Logistics Industry is Creating Current & Future Economic Success

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (Q4 2023)

Kentucky sits at the center of a 34-state distribution area in the eastern U.S., giving it proximity to key populations and centers of international commerce. More

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