Companies spend a great deal of time searching for the ideal location for a new business development or an expansion. There are many factors that must be considered when choosing a site, including the availability of land or a preexisting building, the local labor force, quality of life, proximity to markets and economic incentives. Finding the right balance is complex: land rich sites with few public services or sparse workforces wonít allow companies to thrive. Likewise, workforce-rich areas may lack the kind of greenspaces and adaptable existing sites that make expansion affordable. The ideal location has it all: adequate sites, trouble-free permitting and regulations, natural resources, utilities and a properly educated workforce that can enjoy a good quality of life.
In this feature, Trade & Industry Development has compiled a list of locations from all across the U.S. that includes critical business infrastructure such as transportation, workforce, storage, land, utilities and regulatory and permitting issues and incentives as well as quality of life features.
Bedford County, Virginia
Imagine lacing up your kicks, spending lunchtime playing disc golf with your colleagues, walking beautiful trails, exploring downtown Bedford or heading to Smith Mountain Lake for a fun weekend on the water. If work-life balance is important to the culture and values of your company, then Bedford is the place to be. Many CEOs have already tapped the area as the perfect spot to set up shop, and Bedford is one of the fastest-growing areas in Virginia. Located within a day’s drive of all major mid-Atlantic markets, Bedford checks all the boxes for livability, proximity and workforce.
Bedford County, centrally located in Virginia between Roanoke and Lynchburg, boasts a technology-driven economy that contributes to the diversity and sophistication of its employment base. The many leading-edge industries represented in Bedford County include automation and robotics, furniture manufacturing, metal fabrication, non-destructive testing, precision optics, printing and telecommunications.
Whether you are looking for a pad-ready site for new construction or need assistance with expansion or workforce development services, the Office of Economic Development in Bedford County is there to help. Prime real estate is available and ready to go in three industrial parks owned by the County’s Economic Development Authority. These parks are strategically located throughout the county with solid infrastructure, broadband and proximity to interstates and two regional airports.
For more information, visit www.bedfordeconomicdevelopment.com.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Located in the high country mountains of northern Arizona, Flagstaff is not the Arizona experience you may expect. At 7,000-foot elevation, temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees in the summer, while fall brings brilliant changes of color. Winter snowfall averages around 108 inches. Flagstaff was established in 1876 with a pioneer legacy that centered on ranching, lumber mills and the railroad. It is located near the center of northern Arizona at the juncture of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40, about 150 miles north of Phoenix and 80 miles south of the Grand Canyon.
Home to Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the majority of its 30,000 students, Flagstaff is a university town focused on quality education and research. This culture permeates through all levels of education with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. Flagstaff has been proclaimed the “First STEM City in America.” Flagstaff has one of the top 10 charter schools in the state, Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA), according to U.S. News and World Report.
Coconino Community College educates 7,500 students in the community with a focus on professional development, associate degrees and undergraduate transfer programs to NAU. Flagstaff has a workforce in which 43 percent of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The region offers businesses incubator and accelerator facilities to assist entrepreneurs with developing and growing their ideas.
Flagstaff is only 80 miles from Grand Canyon National Park, which makes staying in the area a natural fit for visitors. During their stay, visitors can ski in the winter and enjoy the sky ride in the summer at Arizona Snowbowl. The city also has more than 75 hotel properties, 220 restaurants and seven micro-breweries to serve locals and visitors with top-of-the-line amenities.
Visit www.flagstaff.az.gov/1760/Economic-Development for more information.
Goochland County, Virginia
West Creek Business Park is a premier location for businesses seeking innovation and opportunity. Spanning over 3,500 of meticulously planned acres in central Virginia, this dynamic business park offers seamless access to I-64 and Route 288, enabling businesses to reach I-95 and Richmond in minutes and connect with 60 percent of the U.S. population effortlessly. Its state-of-the-art infrastructure and amenities provide businesses with everything they need to thrive.
Highlighted properties include the Water’s Edge Building, a former Federal Reserve campus with over 200,000 square feet of Class A office space. This modern, well-maintained facility supports an engaging workplace culture and features cutting-edge systems to meet diverse business needs. Situated on 28 acres, it also offers room for expansion. This option is perfect for corporations looking for a turnkey site that is ready to operate.
The Markel Site, a 227-acre, industrial-zoned property, is ideal for large-scale manufacturing operations. Conveniently located off Route 288, it provides easy access to major transportation networks.
West Creek Business Park reflects Goochland County’s broader appeal as a place to work, live and play. With top-ranked schools, vibrant community events and breathtaking natural landscapes, Goochland offers an exceptional quality of life. Choosing West Creek means investing in a thriving business environment and a remarkable lifestyle. It’s more than a location, it’s a launching pad for growth and success.
Visit www.goochlandforbusiness.com for more information.
Louisiana
Louisiana Economic Development’s Certified Sites program is an important differentiator for Louisiana among companies looking to jump-start the site selection process by acquiring development-ready real estate. The state-supported program focuses on sites that have been pre-qualified for construction based on due diligence conducted in advance, such as title work and environmental studies, that might otherwise take months or years to complete.
The sites in the program are highly attractive to investors due to Louisiana’s strategic location along the Gulf of Mexico and with access to the Mississippi River. With six interstate highways, six Class 1 railroads, six deepwater ports and a nationally recognized workforce program, Louisiana’s Certified Sites offerings improve the time, risk and cost calculations that are often deciding factors for highly motivated companies and investors.
Louisiana currently has more than 100 Certified Sites. Among some of the more recent sites that Louisiana Economic Development has prequalified as ripe for development are:
• Lacombe Business Park: Located on 69 acres on Louisiana’s North Shore, this industrial park is strategically positioned for transportation access at the intersection of Interstate 12 and Highway 434. The park is ideal for distribution hubs and is located near a Smucker’s Distribution Center and about six miles from Slidell Municipal Airport.
• Churchill Technology & Business Park: With 25 acres of Certified Sites within the 480 Technology & Business Park, this site boasts eligibility for New Markets Tax Credits and USDA Rural Development grants and loan programs. Located on the west bank of Jefferson Parish, the park is Master Planned and is 25 minutes from downtown New Orleans and Louis Armstrong International Airport.
• Whitehall Industrial Site: There are 520 acres of Certified Sites within this nearly 1,200-acre site in Concordia Parish, located along the Mississippi River. The site receives power from the Sidney A. Murray Jr. Hydroelectric Station and is across the river from the Port of Natchez.
Explore Louisiana’s Certified Sites in detail, and learn more about the program, at OpportunityLouisiana.com.
Oswego County, New York
Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, just north of Syracuse, Oswego County enjoys a central position relative to major cities such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto and Montreal, with over 80 million people within a 300-mile radius. Oswego County boasts an abundant water supply, a skilled workforce, comprehensive training programs and the generation of 5,500 megawatts of power, including nuclear, hydro and solar/wind sources. These advantages make Oswego County an attractive hub for advanced manufacturing and the semiconductor supply chain.
The L. Michael Treadwell Oswego County Industrial Park (OCIP) is strategically located less than 10 miles from the future site of Micron’s $100+ billion megafab investment. The 185-acre expansion of the OCIP, which is close to full within the existing 135-acre park, has received Federal EDA funding to bring new public infrastructure into the expanded section. Oswego County is actively engaged in discussions with both companies already committed to the OCIP site as well as potential investors interested in developing this prime location for advanced manufacturing and the semiconductor supply chain.
Infrastructure improvements at the industrial park are slated to begin in 2025, with the construction of new public roadways, sanitary sewer systems and public water lines. Backed by Federal EDA funding and a favorable site readiness rating from outside site selectors, OCIP is strategically positioned as a prime destination for advanced manufacturing and supply chain investment. Visit www.oswegocounty.org for more information.
Seward County, Kansas
Located at the intersection of two federal highways that span more than 1,000 miles in each direction is the community of Liberal, Kansas. Each day, more than 2,000 trucks and 5,000 passenger vehicles carry freight and people from companies and cities to destinations across the country and the globe. The region is served by the Union Pacific Railroad, and the airport offers daily jet service to and from Denver. The area’s economy is built on two components: the oil and gas industry and the agriculture industry.
While the region’s history has the first well drilled in the Hugoton Natural Gas Embayment and the area is known for crude oil, helium extraction and the state’s largest ethanol production plant; its future includes announced projects in renewable natural gas, sustainable jet fuel, wind and solar generation and green hydrogen production. Within five years, the region will be generating every form of power outside of hydro-electric, nuclear and coal.
Liberal’s value-added ag economy is anchored by meat processing, ethanol production and two local dairies. National Beef has completed the largest fabrication floor of its kind in the world, which will be fully operational at the end of 2024.
The success of the community and these industries is due to a supportive local government, a community college committed to partnering with industries to provide the certifications and training they specifically need and a growing workforce of young people who want to live and work in southwest Kansas.
Visit www.swks.org for more information.
Thomaston-Upson County, Georgia
Thomaston-Upson County, Georgia, is a thriving community that blends a skilled workforce with exceptional infrastructure, making it a prime location for businesses and residents alike. Positioned as a regional center of commerce, this vibrant area benefits from a unified group of economic development partners committed to fostering growth. Thomaston-Upson offers attractive incentives designed to support new and expanding industries, and its abundance of available industrial acreage in the Central Georgia Business & Technology Park ensures room for future development.
A key strength of Thomaston-Upson County is its diverse industry offerings, particularly in advanced manufacturing, which is well-supported by a highly skilled local and regional workforce. The presence of Upson Regional Medical Center adds to the area’s appeal, ensuring quality healthcare services for residents and employees alike. Conveniently located within a one-hour drive from Atlanta, Macon and Columbus, the county is also served by a 6,350-foot runway at the regional airport, with four corporate hangars, providing convenient travel options.
The county’s infrastructure is robust, ensuring efficient logistics and connectivity. For outdoor enthusiasts, Thomaston-Upson is a true paradise, with Sprewell Bluff Park and the picturesque Flint River bordering the entire western portion of the county, offering countless opportunities for recreation and adventure. Whether you’re looking to invest in business or enjoy the natural beauty, Thomaston-Upson is a dynamic community that offers both growth and quality of life.
Visit upsoncountyga.org/352/Economic- Development for more information.
Universal City, Texas
Universal City, Texas is located on the I-35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin, Texas, and is considered a gateway to JBSA-Randolph Air Force Base. The Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas facility and the Mexico Border are respectively 25 miles and 159 miles from Universal City.
In terms of sites, the region features the Northlake Business Park and the UC Industrial Park of Universal City, Texas, which have immediate and quick access to I-35 (1.2 miles), FM 78 (1.3) miles, Loop 1604 (< one mile), I-10 (6.3 miles), Loop 410 (7.8 miles) and San Antonio International Airport (10 miles).
The Northlake Business Park in Universal City, Texas is a 178-acre Master Planned Community with protective covenants. When completed, Northlake will have five newly built buildings totaling 372,000 square feet, 24- and 28-foot clear stacking heights and rear-load and cross-dock designs. Utilities and fire suppression are already onsite.
UC Industrial Park in Universal City is a 21-acre Master Planned Community with protective covenants. The lots are designed and sold to accommodate a 12,000 square-foot building, and all utilities are already on site, white boxed with fire suppression in place. Buildings have 15-foot clear stacking heights and rear-load and cross-dock designs. The rear yards provide for screened outdoor storage and/or additional parking. Both parks are zoned for general commercial, light industrial and warehousing.
Visit www.utcx.gov for more information. T&ID
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