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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

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First Person: David Robey, Co-CEO of QTS Data Centers

Area Development Research Desk (Q2 2025)

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. More
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In Focus: AI Is Changing Incentives Math

Brian Eddow, Area Development Staff (Q2 2025)

Headcount-focused incentives punish evolving companies, payroll helps reward a different kind of growth. More
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First Person: Joe Capes, CEO, LiquidStack

Area Development Research Desk (Q2 2025)

LiquidStack CEO Joe Capes on choosing Texas for expansion, working through AI supply chain shocks, and why hot water is the future of cooling. More

First Person: Meaghan Elwell, Division President for JLL’s Industrials

Area Development Research Desk (Q2 2025)

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. More
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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: 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

Editor’s Note: The Future Is Now

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q1 2025)

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All Roads Lead to Washington

Ken Biberaj, Executive Managing Director, Savills  (Q1 2025)

We are at the dawn of America’s next Industrial Revolution, and it will be shaped in large part by the convergence of technological innovation, climate change and geopolitical pressures. 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

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

Editor's Note: Raising a future American

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q4 2024)

As site selectors, we seek communities that nurture versatile talent pools. And as parents, we’re working to prepare our kids to be part of that future workforce. In the end, both parenting and site selection come down to building for the future. More

Nice to meet you, dear reader. Call me Andy.

Andy Greiner,  Editor, Area Development (Q3 2024)

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From Steel to Silicon: Chicago’s South Works Site to Host Largest U.S. Quantum Computing Hub

Dan Emerson, Staff Editor, Area Development (Q3 2024)

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. More

First Person: Scott Kupperman, Owner, Kupperman Location Solutions (KLS)

Area Development Research Desk (Q3 2024)

Area Development interviewed Scott Kupperman about factors affecting food processing site selection, including cost pressures, geographic preferences, financial considerations, automation, labor shortages, and sustainability. More

A Final Note: An Editorial Transition at Area Development

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q2 2024)

The means by which information is delivered has, of course, changed over the last three decades, but Area Development will continue to provide our readers with what they require to make informed site and facility planning decisions. 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

In Focus: Will Serve Letters and Right-of-Way Acquisitions in Site Selection

David MacNamara, Director, Site Selection and Product Development , KPMG (Q2 2024)

Exploring the nuances of utility commitments and legal access. More

In Focus: Is This Community Approach the Blueprint for Sustainable Industrial Development?

Gregg Healy, Executive Vice President & Head of Industrial Services – North America, Savills (Q2 2024)

Industrial designers are exploring the transformative potential of landscape architecture to harmonize industrial development with environmental sustainability and community well-being. 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

Editor’s Note: Electric Power Demands Key to Location Decisions

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q1 2024)

The consumption of electricity is only predicted to increase as the digital transformation of industry continues and, consequently, access to electricity has become a dominant site selection factor. 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

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

First Person: Realizing the Inflation Reduction Act’s Full Potential

Brian Murphy, Americas Power, Utilities and Renewables Tax Leader, EY (Q1 2024)

Brian Murphy discusses how tax and finance can collaborate to advance a company’s key sustainability goals. 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

In Focus: Working Toward Zero-Emission Buildings Ahead of Regulatory Mandates

Britt Willows, Portfolio Leader, Johnson Controls (Q4 2023)

All stakeholders working in unison will benefit the environment while also resulting in positive business outcomes. More

In Focus: AI’s Influence on Data Center Growth

Andy Cvengros, Managing Director, Brokerage, JLL and Matt Landek, Managing Director, U.S. Data Center Work Dynamics and Project Development and Services Lead, JLL (Q4 2023)

The use of AI is driving a surge in demand for computing power and the development of more data centers, which, in turn, have an increasing need for reliable power and water. More

First Person: How to Identify and Build a Robust Community Ecosystem to Attract New Businesses

Michael Flynn, Senior Director, Economic Development, Destination Medical Center (DMC) (Q4 2023)

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. More

First Person: Aligning Energy Needs With Sustainability Goals

Courtney Dunbar, Site Selection & Economic Development Leader, Burns & McDonnell (Q4 2023)

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. More

Editor’s Note: Workforce Stats Paint a More Optimistic Picture, Although Challenges Remain

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q3 2023)

Industry is still being challenged by low unemployment and the e-commerce surge among other concerns but is continuing to spend on new facilities and “to think outside the box” when it comes to fulfilling workforce needs. More

In Focus: Picking the Right Joint Venture Partners

Joseph Natarelli, National Leader, Construction Services, Marcum LLP (Q3 2023)

Here are three tips to help construction firms use joint ventures to meet demand without increasing risk. More

First Person: Establishing a Robust Rare Earth Magnet Supply Chain

Tom Schneberger, CEO, USA Rare Earth (Q3 2023)

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. More

Editor’s Note: Production of EVs and Chips Comes to Forefront

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q2 2023)

Despite economic uncertainty, industry investment in both the EV/battery and semiconductor industries continues to grow. More

First Person: Labor Crunch in the Construction Industry

Joseph Natarelli, National Leader, Construction Services, Marcum LLP (Q2 2023)

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. More

In Focus: Today’s Investments Inspiring Tomorrow’s Skilled Workforce Leaders

Alison Neuman, North America Workforce Development Program Manager , Johnson Controls (Q2 2023)

Investment in workforce training initiatives is essential not only to individual businesses but also to economic development on a local and national scale. More

Last Word: A Second Wave of EV Investment

Dennis Cuneo, Former Senior Vice President, Toyota Motor North America; Owner , DC Strategic Advisors and Larry Filson, Assistant Vice President, Design and Sustainability, Walbridge (Q2 2023)

The rapid transition of the auto industry from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs) to electric vehicles (EVs) has set off a rush of new investment in new EV assembly plants and battery cell plants. More

Last Word: The CHIPS Act

Liesel Schmader, Senior Consultant; Addison Collins, Consultant; and Sarah Raehl, Senior Manager; Location Strategy, Deloitte Consulting LLP (Q1 2023)

How is the Chips Act driving investment in the U.S., and how can local initiatives help? More

Editor's Note: Cautious Optimism for 2023

Geraldine Gambale, Editor, Area Development Magazine (Q1 2023)

Although manufacturers are facing a challenging year, many are optimistic that lessons learned during the pandemic will help them weather whatever lies ahead. More

First Person: Putting a Cyber Defense Plan in Place

Mike Morris, Managing Director, Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory, Deloitte (Q1 2023)

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. More

In Focus: The Facility’s Envelope-A Multifaceted Ecosystem

Marc Gravely, Founder, Gravely P.C. (Q1 2023)

For infrastructure preparedness, a big picture and narrow focus are equally important. More

In Focus: CEOs Are Underprepared for Cyber Threats

Frederick Johnson, Vice President, Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics, Marcum Technology (Q1 2023)

New regulations to expand cybersecurity expertise and reporting requirements can only help to eliminate the very real threats companies are facing on a daily basis. More

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