Trade & Industry Development Magazine

Trade & Industry Development’s 14th Annual Corporate Investment/Community Impact Awards (CiCi Awards) issue honors key projects around the country that promise—through extensive capital investment or influential community impact—to help shape the communities in which they are located, and in which they continue to develop and grow. Read about our 30 winners in our CiCi Awards coverage starting on page 28. This issue also has three special reports: finding the best location for a corporate HQ, site selection for the financial services industry and keys to winning in corporate real estate.

In this issue, we tap experts in three growing fields: biotechnology, medical manufacturing and agriculture/food processing. In biotech, we focus on access to a qualified workforce capable of keeping pace with advances in the industry. The medical manufacturing field is expected to see continued growth and expansion—and location changes will be part of the strategic choices. Food manufacturing executives know proper location of their facilities can have a dramatic impact on operational and cost-related variables. Our Sites & Programs this issue also deals with food and agriculture production.

This issue dives into a number of key areas for site selection that decision-makers today need to consider. Our feature story on supply-chain management and logistics focuses on distribution centers and the importance of addressing a critical need today: attracting and retaining good employees. American consumers would be hard-pressed to find anything they do or use today that doesn’t involve plastics. Siting a facility that deals with this ubiquitous commodity involves many critical factors, and we help executives sort through and prioritize them. When it comes to metalworking and fabricating, we’re seeing a “rise of the machines,” as revenue for companies in the machinery manufacturing sector has been steadily rising, and there is a trend toward digitization of manufacturing that includes machines to monitor production facilities and the design of manufacturing processes with robotics. The ramifications and impacts for site selectors are expertly laid out in our feature. This issue also looks at ports/inland ports, identifying a number of key shipping locations.

This issue takes us through the last of the fall. Don’t miss our special features, all of which contain great information that can help you create long-term strategy. The article on factors for site selection consideration is a must-read. And when was the last time you thought about utilities in the context of siting for your facility? They’re absolutely critical – yet they might not be top-of-mind for many people. Don’t miss the insights on Foreign-Trade Zones either – it has never been more relevant. Of course, there is plenty of other excellent content. Workforce development, for example, is covered with case studies using real-life examples to show how corporations are ushering in the next generation. Throughout this issue, you will see the fine hand of our managing editor, Linda Dobel – who passed away suddenly as we were going to press. We will miss her guidance and her expertise, as well as her passion for this magazine, and we know you will as well.

Want to purchase something new? This issue will enlighten you to the trends in U.S. shopping habits and how it is affecting the site selection world. Transition is the keyword, and you’ll learn the insider’s story here. Don’t miss it. If that hint of the word transition in regard to retail makes you think about technology, you’ll be delighted to know this issue has an exclusive Feature on the technology industry even beyond retail and what’s trending in site selection for that industry. And what do you need for retail and technology and every other business and homestead? Energy, of course. This issue treats you to insight into some of the most knowledgeable people who share their know-how in state-of-the-art in alternative energy and storage. Don’t forget — you will find the scoop on four states you will want to know more about as well as a peek into locations where clean energy thrives and areas that exude a great quality of life. What could be better?

Get your engines running — this is an issue for everybody in the automotive, aerospace and reshoring businesses to catch up with the latest happenings in your unique business space. Top leaders in the know reveal statistics that show enormous growth that may astound you and will likely have a tremendous impact on where you decide to locate your business as well. To top it off, you’ll get to know about the offerings of a great site in four states, including their incentives and reasons you might consider them prime contender s in your site selection decision.

Corporate investment and development are going strong and making a huge impact on some very fortunate communities across the U.S. In this issue, Trade & Industry Development heralds 30 companies that in 2017 announced plans for corporate development that truly stand out from the vast number of development announcements made that year. Read their stories in the CiCi (Corporate Investment Community Impact) Awards coverage starting on page 28. You won’t be able to resist admiring these companies and being inspired to contact economic development agencies to get your company started on the road to your own corporate development glory. To ensure you’re fully knowledgeable to begin your journey to a new site or make the best expansion choices, first do your homework and read all three information-packed Special Report articles you’ll find in this issue.

The first issue of the year 2018! As always with a new year, everybody is all about health, nutrition and overall wellbeing. And guess what? So is this issue. The issue is brimming with fresh, new information about the food and agriculture industry as well as bio/pharma and medical manufacturing to help companies locate in great areas and keep us all healthy and on top of our games. The Feature medical manufacturing article provides a great heads-up on locations that are dominated by companies in the industry. The food and ag Feature dives in-depth about the new industry trends and how to accommodate the workface in the face of that. And the bio/pharma Feature introduces a modern concept for the industry and what is needed for its workforce. In addition, the issue is chockful of location advice for corporate site selectors and locations to put on short lists for these particular industries.

This issue of Trade & Industry Development has all the best and freshest information on the Logistics and Supply Chain industry, along with both the Plastics and Metalworking industries you will not find anywhere else. Top-notch industry insiders open their knowledgebases and share the most pertinent things site selectors in these fields need to know to make the right moves. You’ll also find exclusive interviews with economic development offices and business executives who have happily located in their areas for port operations, both water and land. Going the extra mile in a special section you will be introduced to some of the nation’s leaders who work at economic development agencies to aid site selectors’ searches for a perfect business location. There are plenty more surprises and facts you need to know about four great locations you may find perfect for you next business location.

Site selectors for manufacturing businesses, this issue is for you. It is chock full of current information about the manufacturing industry. The information comes from some of the top names in the industry and prominent site selection consultants. From two in-the-know manufacturing associations, to exclusive interviews with economic development agencies and the manufacturing companies located within their domains to designated sites that may be of great interest to manufacturers to a Feature that has the latest information of benefit to manufacturers. In addition, the issue covers Utilities with a slant toward the utilities manufacturers need and Foreign-Trade Zones that should help manufacturers stay competitive globally. And that’s not all. There are five Spotlights on states very conducive to manufacturing business to help lighten the load for site selection information gathering.

Talk about hot topic industries; this issue of Trade & Industry Development brings you three Feature articles with expert insight in the technology, retail and alternative energy industries. Not only that, but the topics are geared to be relevant to the needs of corporate site selectors. Plus, the alternative energy Feature is complemented by two articles coming directly from related associations — Solar Energy Industries Association and U.S. Green Buildings Council — that are on the frontlines every day. In addition, as every site selector knows, it is extremely helpful to easily find information on specific locations, and that’s the exact aim of the four Spotlight articles, the Sites & Programs article and the Short List article. Workforce is always a concern and the Insights article broaches the topic of robotics in the workplace. Will robotics replace the human workforce, or is that far-fetched? The opinion in this column is a must read.

They say summer flies by, but not at the speed of the automotive and aerospace and defense industries’ innovations. Corporate leaders charged with making location decisions for these growing, fast-paced industry sectors don’t need to break a sweat, though, worrying that they’ll be left in the dust. One of the easiest solutions is simply absorbing the knowledge on trends and location options jam-packed into this issue. And guess where the best location options are? Right here onshore. Take a good look at the issue’s third feature article: the trend for businesses is reshoring, and you won’t be left guessing why. So dive in: not only will you discover great ideas and lots of knowledge sharing, but there a deep pool of location choices presented with concise, factual descriptions all within these pages.

Site location decision-makers and economic developers look forward to this issue every year. Why? The much-anticipated 12th Annual Corporate Investment and Community Impact (CiCi) Awards are presented in this issue. Here is an exclusive opportunity to take a look at the top 15 companies in the country that announced the largest capital investment for a new location or expansion project in 2016 and the 2016 announcements of the 15 projects that promise to have the most impactful, transformational effect in communities in which they are or will be located. The issue also serves up three complementary, information-packed articles on topics that are hot, hot, hot. They are: locating a corporate headquarters, ‘adaptive reuse’ of facilities for corporate real estate and reconsidering incentives. Plus, two Outlook articles from very prominent industry associations address issues of concern to all.

Looking to locate a life science business, but not sure which route to take? This is the best go-to source to learn where the top U.S. life sciences clusters are located, examine some positives of alternatively locating in submarkets, and tap into some ideas to attract potential Need more specifics for the medical device manufacturing sector of life sciences? There’s solid information here, from desirable states to locate to the attributes a location should have to help you succeed. Of course, you can’t just put down roots anywhere when it comes to the food industry. There’s a lot to consider and the trio of articles here have that tackled from unique perspectives, all with a common focus on site selection. Further aiding location decision-making, there are five resources that spotlight states to consider, plus a great perspective on the value of incentives for choosing a location to conduct business.

Are you a busy practitioner in the metals, plastics or logistics industry? If so, you’ll rejoice over the contents of this issue. Why? It will bring you up to date on the trends and latest thinking on industry issues and site selection practices most people are just too slammed to keep up with otherwise. Not a practitioner in one of those industries? You will be equally delighted by the wealth of information this issue imparts on even more topics and business trends that are on everyone’s must-know list. From insiders’ descriptions of superb locations to consider for your next economic development project to perspectives on current logistics topics including e-commerce and distribution data usage, business professionals will find useful facts to stay on top of the game.

This issue is the place to get up to date on the state of the manufacturing industry. From insider tips on how to thrive in manufacturing to savvy advice on curing the workforce shortage in manufacturing and a look at locations that have implemented solid programs to help manufacturers build a strong workforce, this issue has it all. Add to that there’s a dual focus on the utilities industry that supports manufacturers in a host of ways that are flush with facts on what manufacturers should look for in locations’ utilities offerings when making a site decision. In addition, there’s a fantastic feature on something manufacturers should be paying close attention to: Federal-Trade Zones. They can have positive effects on operating margins.

There’s no excuse for not going green in your next location endeavor after reading this bountiful issue of TID. The issue features four article dedicated solely to clean industry/energy initiatives written by some of the top minds in the business—and they know about how it affects site selection. Not to be overshadowed, readers will find terrific insight into the state of the retail industry—both from the bricks and mortar perspective and the e-commerce perspective. The two articles that concentrate on that subject speak from a development point of view. The issue also will bring readers up to date on the technology industry with a keen eye toward site selection. Where are good places to locate these various types of businesses? The issue has that covered with four state Spotlight articles and a Short List article that highlights locations that boast a great quality of life for both individuals and their families and businesses.

Strap on your seat belt. This issue of TID features fast-moving industries and fast-moving products. The aerospace industry is one and it is thriving. Get all the facts in our feature article. The automotive industry is not left in the dust. It, too, shows no signs of braking its speed with products to market and more and more development locations. This feature will show where the automotive industry is going. While those industries are moving forward, our feature on the reshoring industry demonstrates that businesses are doing an about-face —coming back to the U.S. with manufacturing and services, which is an incredibly good thing. The momentum doesn’t stop there. This issue is chock full of information on individual states, including two case studies and two exclusive articles highlighting states with locations that are home to light manufacturing and states that you really want to get to know more about as they are top sites in the U.S.

This very special edition of Trade & Industry Development (TID) features the 2016 CiCi Awards. CiCi stands for Corporate Investment and Community Impact — the two most important aspects of economic development. If you’re hungry for information about the top economic development deals announced in 2015, as most corporate site selectors are, dig in. There’s even more in this edition of TID. Be sure to read the three Special Report columns as they impart valuable knowledge for anyone contemplating headquarters relocation or a financial services firm establishment. In addition, the corporate real estate column provides great direction for site selectors on the types of office configurations to look for that are conducive to productivity for today’s workforce. And stay in the loop with the two Outlook columns that will bring you up to date on two exceptional associations with which you will want to become closely acquainted.

Ring in the New Year with a hearty helping of great information in this January-February 2016 issue of Trade & Industry Development. It caters to the industries that make and keep us healthy. We have a bounty of articles focused on the food and ag industry. There are five articles that concentrate on the food industry. One is a Feature, two are Outlook columns, another is our exclusive Short List column and last, but most certainly not least, our Insights column provides us with an industry leader’s insider knowledge of the industry. To make it even better, the Spotlight articles in this issue highlight states that lend themselves perfectly to food and ag-related business locations. Even more locations are highlighted in the Sites and Programs article, and we also learn about two industries: bio-pharma medical manufacturing and tips for finding ideal sites for these businesses.