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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Skilled Labor / STEM

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
what-you-need-to-know-about-nmtcs

What You Need to Know About NMTCs

Thane Hutcheson, President, Five Points Strategic Advisors (Q2 2025)

New market tax credits offer millions in upfront funding for projects that create jobs and serve underserved communities. 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
the-second-space-race

The Second Space Race

Garrison Partridge, Staff Writer, Area Development (Q2 2025)

How spaceport development could drive economic growth in new places. More
kansas-helping-transition-service-members-families-into-new-careers

Kansas Helping Transition Service Members, Families into New Careers

Kansas Department of Commerce  (Q1 2025)

With innovative programs such as SkillBridge — and dedicated workforce development professionals at KANSASWORKS — Kansas is a strong player in assisting and placing veterans and their families into promising careers. More
training-them-up

Why Workforce Readiness Can’t Wait

Jeff Troan, Managing Director, Vista Site Selection, LLC (Q1 2025)

The training program for the new facility can no longer be delayed until the new facility is nearing completion. It should be instituted the day after the site selection decision is announced More
ohios-dynamic-approach-to-economic-development-empowers-inclusive-prosperity

Ohio’s Dynamic Approach to Economic Development Empowers Inclusive Prosperity

JobsOhio (Q1 2025)

Ohio’s big cities and small towns thrive with a mix of economic development initiatives that drive momentum. 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

How Automation Is Actually Closing the Labor Gap

Courtney Dunbar, Site Selection & Economic Development Leader, Burns & McDonnell and Alfredo Valadez, Automation Consultant and Project Manager, Burns & McDonnell (Q4 2024)

Robotics and automation offer solutions to the critical labor shortage in the U.S., enhancing efficiency and worker safety and preparing the workforce for the future. More

Run a Job Task Analysis

Dan Pickel, Director of Certification and Accreditation, NFPA (Q4 2024)

Use this analysis to address skills gaps and boost retention. More

Kentucky’s Investment in Quality Sites is an Investment in its Future

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (Q4 2024)

We prioritize development-ready sites to attract businesses and jobs. More

The Workforce Factor: How States Are Competing to Build Tomorrow's Talent

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q4 2024)

States with top programs share a few elements that make them standout. More

Industries Look for Employees in Nontraditional Spaces Amid Labor Shortage

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

Employers turn to untapped talent pools to address workforce gaps. 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

What to Make of the Rising Trend of Salary Transparency in Job Descriptions

Vince Giovannini, Senior Consultant, Deloitte (Q4 2024)

Salary transparency in job listings offers new insights into wages. More

Five Strategies to Tackle the Data Center Talent Shortage

Matt Landek, Managing Director, U.S. Data Center Work Dynamics and Project Development and Services Lead, JLL (Q4 2024)

The booming data center industry urgently needs more skilled workers to sustain growth. More

St. Louis Aerospace Sector Takes Flight with $5 Billion in Investments and New Task Force

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

Mound City emerges as a hub for aerospace investments and jobs. More

The Cost of Labor and Workforce Skills Necessary for the Transition to an Electrified Auto Industry

Raymond Perez, Of Counsel, Fisher & Phillips LLP (Q3 2024)

Why executives must prioritize workforce skills for the electric vehicle transition. More

Green Jobs Boom in 2023: Is the IRA a Leading Factor?

Mike Chmura, Economist, Chmura Economics (Q3 2024)

Is the IRA driving a surge in green jobs, or is it part of a broader clean energy movement? More

Which AI Tools Work for Job Recruiters?

Mark Crawford, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2024)

Some AI tools make it easier for recruiters to find top candidates. Here’s the skinny: 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

The War on Talent in Aerospace: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining a Skilled Workforce

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

Effective talent management is essential in today's aerospace and defense industry. By focusing on competitive compensation, modern facilities, and professional development, companies can secure the skilled workforce needed to thrive. More

Creative Recruiting Might Help Close the Manufacturing Skills Gap

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

Faced with a dearth of skilled workers, some companies are looking to high schools and community centers to find manufacturing labor. More

Mitigating Labor Challenges in Life Sciences Manufacturing

Adam Bloom, President, Stevenson Search Partners (Q2 2024)

Why executives facing manpower shortages must consider a menu of location planning, automation, and fostering a learning culture to meet current challenges and drive efficiency. More

Navigating the Digital Transformation

Courtney Dunbar, Site Selection & Economic Development Leader, Burns & McDonnell and Matt Olson, Chief Innovation Officer, Burns & McDonnell (Q1 2024)

Courtney Dunbar, site selection lead at Burns & McDonnell, recently asked Matt Olson, Burns & McDonnell’s chief innovation officer, about how companies are navigating the digital transformation and its potential of fostering sustainable, resilient manufacturing practices. More

In Focus: Rethinking Industrial Site Selection: A Retail Perspective

Evan L. Stair, Managing Director, Analytics, Vista Site Selection (Q1 2024)

The idea of putting the needs of the potential workforce first when making the location decision mirrors retail’s tradition of prioritizing customer satisfaction. More

Applied Learning Fuels Investment in Workforce Training Facilities

Brent Amos, Principal, Cooper Carry and Mark Jensen, Cooper Carry (Q1 2024)

With tailwinds such as government incentives and changing vocational preferences, workforce training facilities are poised for continued growth throughout the U.S. More

Editor’s Note: The Worker Shortage - A New Reality

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q4 2023)

With a worker shortage that seems destined to persist, employers are turning to AI/automation and upskilling, while also realizing that comprehensive immigration reform is necessary to fill gaps in the labor force. More

Elite Workforce, Strategic Investments Help Virginia Score Major Wins

Virginia Economic Development Partnership (Q4 2023)

From data centers to vertical farming to banking, a cross-section of industry is continuing to choose to locate and expand in Virginia, a state that provides them with a top-notch workforce. 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

Three Key Location Factors for F&B Industrial Users to Consider

Bob West, Vice President of Food & Beverage, Industrial, Ryan Companies (Q4 2023)

Workforce skills and availability, the need for speed to market, and the condition of existing infrastructure are all key factors in food and beverage companies’ location decisions. More

The Importance of Understanding Labor Issues in Making the Location Decision

Michael J. Ball, Partner, Vorys and Michael C. Griffaton, Of Counsel, Vorys (Workforce Q4 2023)

Site selectors should assess a potential location’s workforce with an eye to identifying areas of concern that might make it open to unionization efforts. More

Look Beyond the Now When Considering Workforce Priorities

Kevin Major, Managing Director, Americas Consulting, Labor Analytics, CBRE (Workforce Q4 2023)

Industrial site selectors must consider not only a prospective location’s current labor pool but also its recruiting reach and unanticipated future demands and costs of a particular market. More

Immigration: A Potential Fix for Labor Shortages?

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Workforce Q4 2023)

Reforms to U.S. immigration policy may help to supply more of the workers needed by companies that might otherwise choose to locate in other countries. More

Insights on Staffing and the Location Decision

Christine Chandler, President, AdvantaStaff and Lovora Brown, Director of Operations, AdvantaStaff (Workforce Q4 2023)

When selecting a new site, companies today confront an ever-changing landscape of factors to consider, from site and facility planning to workforce analytics and training. Christine Chandler, president of AdvantaStaff, and Lovora Brown, AdvantaStaff’s director of Operations, who bring a combined 50 years’ experience in the manufacturing and distribution industry, provide their perspective on workforce issues that are important to companies’ location decisions. More

After the Ribbon Is Cut: Shifting the Talent Strategy to Retention & Upskilling

Vince Giovannini, Senior Consultant, Deloitte (Workforce Q4 2023)

By upskilling its workforce, a company can improve its overall productivity, while positively impacting employee satisfaction and retention. More

Technology’s Influence on Workforce Development

Steve Carlos, Senior Director, Consulting, JLL and Amber Schiada, Head of Work Dynamics Research, Americas, JLL (Workforce Q4 2023)

How can a company develop an analytics-focused talent strategy to meet the needs of AI, specialized skillsets, automation, and beyond? More

How to Factor in Labor Needs While Selecting a Site for Expansion

Sam Moses, Mark Simmons, and Azad Khan; Business Expansion and Location Solutions Team; Parker Poe (Workforce Q4 2023)

With today’s low unemployment rates, companies must consider how they will fulfill their workforce needs early on in the site selection process. More

2023 Top States Workforce Development Programs

Steve Kaelble, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2023)

Having a workforce with the right skills is an integral part of being a Top State for Doing Business — that’s why training programs are so important. More

Front Line: Satisfying the Semiconductor Industry’s Workforce Needs

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2023)

As the semiconductor industry announces plans to grow domestic production, it is facing a workforce shortage. More

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