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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Manufacturing / Industrial

scaling-up-without-falling-short

Scaling Up Without Falling Short

David Verner, RA, NCARB, Senior Vice President, Gresham Smith (Q2 2025)

Scaling a pilot into full production requires smart planning, the right team, and constant flexibility. More
get-your-mega-site-project-ready

Get Your Mega Site ‘Project Ready’

Ramya Gowda, Managing Director, Global Strategy Consulting, Newmark and Carrie Zethmayr, Managing Director, Global Strategy Consulting, Newmark (Q2 2025)

Preparing a mega site requires more than acreage and ambition—it means aligning zoning, utilities, and documentation to reduce investor risk, compress timelines, and compete for transformative manufacturing and industrial projects. 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

First Person: Brent Omdahl, SVP Government Affairs for Global Wafers

Area Development Research Desk (Q1 2025)

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. More
siting-for-things-that-go-boom

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

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

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

Designing Beyond the Assembly Line

Stephen White, Director of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, Albert Kahn Associates, Inc (Q1 2025)

Comprehensive planning transforms manufacturing facilities into hubs of efficiency and community growth, addressing workforce needs, infrastructure, and sustainability. 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

Real Estate Hurdles for Cell Therapy

Myung Kim, Project Director, Project Management Advisors, Inc. (Q4 2024)

For startups hoping to jump on the CGT bandwagon, decisions around real estate can be a significant obstacle. While CGT research can often be carried out in relatively standard lab spaces, transitioning from research to production can be a leap of faith. More

An American Railroad Town’s Manufacturing Renaissance

Roanoke Regional Partnership (Q4 2024)

How a hidden gem in Virginia’s Blue Ridge mountains created a blueprint for community-driven economic growth. More

Brooklyn Navy Yard’s CNC Training Fuels Its Resurgence

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

Workforce investments drive modern manufacturing innovation. More

The Crucial Role of Hazardous Material Awareness in Manufacturing Facility Design

Jennifer Carr, AIA, Industrial Technical Practice Leader, Gresham Smith and Philip Garcia, RA, Senior Architect, Gresham Smith (Q4 2024)

How to plan manufacturing facilities with safety in mind. 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

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

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

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

Exploring the Dynamic Landscape of Industrial Packaging Solutions

Amanda Tran, P.E., Design Engineering Executive, McCownGordon (Q3 2024)

Industrial packaging evolves rapidly to meet sustainability goals, cost controls, and market demands, requiring customizable and innovative solutions for manufacturers. 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

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

U.S. Industrial Real Estate Cooling Off After Rapid Growth

Jason Price, Senior Director of Research for U.S. Industrial Sector, Cushman & Wakefield (Q2 2024)

Exploring the quiet change: a look at the shifting dynamics in industrial real estate. More

America’s New Tech Hubs Are Calling for Manufacturers

Area Development Research Desk (Q2 2024)

One of the main questions facing the new program is about funding. Can $500 million help change the backbone of American manufacturing? More

First Person: Q&A with Tech Hubs Director Eric Smith

Area Development Research Desk (Q2 2024)

Exploring opportunities for manufacturing growth through the Federal Tech Hubs Program with insights from director Eric Smith on collaboration and regional innovation. 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

The CHIPS and Science Act will bring jobs back to the United States

Francesco Renna, Director of Consulting and Senior Labor Economist, Chmura Economics (Q2 2024)

Amidst global shifts and challenges, the U.S. policy is injecting billions to reclaim a stronger position in semiconductor manufacturing and aiming to revitalize a critical sector by 2030. More

Industrial Space Continues Boon for Greater Richmond

Greater Richmond Partnership (Q2 2024)

The region’s advantages — including available industrial real estate, low electric rates, and a strategic location — are drawing manufacturing, distribution, and data center operations to Greater Richmond. 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

First Person: Making Facilities “Fit” for the Digital Future

Stephanie Dorsey, CEO, Siemens Real Estate Services, Americas (Q1 2024)

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. More

Why Smaller May Be Better for Some Businesses

Tim-Logan, Partner, Parker Poe (Q1 2024)

Although records have been set for massive industrial spaces, the market has been shifting to smaller buildings. More

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