Selecting the right location for your next facility or expansion is one of the most strategic decisions your organization will ever make. The right site can reduce costs, improve access to talent, accelerate growth, and strengthen your competitive advantage. At the same time, getting it wrong can lead to delays, unexpected costs, workforce challenges, and regulatory headaches.
With so much at stake, it is important to have an experienced partner watching out for your best interests. A site selection company helps businesses identify, evaluate, and secure the best locations for new facilities, expansions, or relocations. At WDG Consulting, we consider every critical factor, from workforce availability and operating costs to infrastructure and incentive opportunities.
If you are wondering what the process looks like, our team follows a proven, data-driven methodology refined over decades of advising corporations on location strategy. This four-step approach ensures an effective, consistent, and strategic site-selection outcome every time.
1. Discovery
This first step—Discovery—sets the foundation. During this phase, our site selection consultants align with your project team on objectives, key operational requirements, criteria importance, geographic search region, benchmark locations, timelines, and communication/confidential protocols. The Discovery effort begins with WDGC submitting a request for baseline information. After reviewing this request, we will work together on revisions until consensus is achieved. Thereafter we hold a kickoff meeting to reach full alignment on the location strategy/site selection gameplan. Discovery is important as without clear alignment up front sub-optimal outcomes, backtracking, and unexpected costs could eventuate.
2. Location Screening
In this phase a shortlist of the most promising locations (typically 2-3) is identified. The initial task is to conduct desktop research to begin narrowing the field of location candidates within the geographic search region. In a series of screening rounds, locations are vetted on statistical thresholds (e.g., customer proximity, demographic trends, wage levels, electric power costs, etc.). This exercise yields a longlist of potentially viable locations (often 6-10).
A confidential request for information (RFI) is issued to the leading economic development organization in each area. The RFI is geared toward providing intel such as major employers, new/expanding employers, qualified sites/buildings, electric power capacity/reliability, tax exemptions, etc.
Desktop and RFI responses are combined to rank/score each area. This leads to our recommended shortlist. Locations of interest can be carried through the screening phase for comparison purposes.
3. Field Validation
The purpose in this phase is to comprehensively assess both cost and operating conditions in each shortlist (or finalist) location, to recommend the best long-range option for the new or expanded facility. Research input underpinning field validation encompasses:
- Interviews with similar employers
- Interviews with other pertinent entities such as utilities, government, education/training
- Site/building tours and dialogue with property owners
- GIS mapping for both sites and commute sheds
- Review of regulations and permits
- Quality of place tours
- Discussion with economic development groups relative to potential incentives packages
Field investigation results are assessed with a view toward both short term and long-range viability. Locations (metro or county, submarket, and site/building) are ranked/scored. A recommendation is then tendered on the preferred location and best alternate.
Among the key locational dynamics that are assessed during field study are:
- Labor Market
- Competitive Demand
- Talent Pool Depth
- Availability
- Quality
- Stability
- Site/Building Availability
- Zoning
- Covenants
- Characteristics
- Access
- Parking
- Infrastructure
- Highway
- Rail
- Air
- Electric Power
- Natural Gas
- Water/Sewer
- Regulations/Permitting
- Environmental
- Quality of Life/Cost of living
- Business Operating Costs
- Labor
- Occupancy
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Taxes
- Incentives (offset)
4. Final Commitments: Real Estate/Incentives
This step entails last mile negotiations for real estate and incentives. Building upon our effort during Step 3 field assessment, WDGC now enters into final negotiations for site and/or building plus local and state incentives. For real estate, WDGC can provide that service upon client request. Alternatively, we can team with our client’s real estate advisor.
For site/building, negotiations embrace securing final terms and conditions. This could involve lease, purchase, or lease with an option to buy. Tenant work letters (improvements) are negotiated as well. Site improvements are also negotiated.
Incentives negotiations are conducted in tandem with real estate negotiations. WDGC engages in discussions with government officials and property owners to obtain final/best offers for incentives. We address incentives eligibility, compliance requirements, and projected savings. WDGC also prepares incentives applications. Functioning as part of our client’s project team, WDGC also provides support as required on final decision considerations such as environmental permitting, water/sewer hook-up, redundant electric power, workforce development services, labor regulatory issues, etc.
Post-Move Validation and Optimization
While it is not always explicitly labeled as a formal step, a best-practice site selection process includes monitoring performance after move-in—tracking workforce ramp-up, cost benchmarks, local market risks, and overall operational alignment with initial objectives. WDGC’s methodology of aligning success metrics and treating the project as a partnership emphasizes this follow-through.
Why Following an End-to-End Process Matters
Skipping or rushing steps in the site selection process may lead to late-stage surprises: talent shortages, higher than expected costs, infrastructure delays, or incentive eligibility issues. By adhering to a structured approach, you protect your organization from hidden risk and position your new site for success from day one.
As WDG Consulting puts it, “We value our partnership with you and measure our success by your success.”
From Site Selection to Long-Term Success
Selecting the right location is more than just finding an affordable piece of real estate. It is about aligning your workforce, infrastructure, cost model, and strategic goals into the right place at the right time. If your organization is considering relocation, expansion, or a new facility, make sure you are working with a partner that brings a full-cycle, proven process just like WDG Consulting.
Let us help you make the right move. Give us a call today at 201-310-2598 or complete our form online for a confidential introductory discussion.