SAMANTHA SMITH
Secrets to Site Selection
Attracting New Investments
Nucor . CMC Metals . The Clorox Company . What do each of these companies have in common , besides committing to significant investments and job creation in West Virginia ? Long before the celebratory announcements were made , there was a competitive site selection process .
The competition among states for economic development projects is fierce . With a finite number of expansion and relocation projects happening each year , states and communities strive to demonstrate how they offer all the criteria companies need to be successful . The West Virginia Department of Economic Development ( WVDED ) is no stranger to competing , and winning , large projects .
Site selectors play a unique role in this process . In simple terms , site selectors are expert advisors tasked with assessing the advantages and disadvantages of states and communities and recommending a location that presents the least amount of risk for the company .
The availability of data has made desktop research and analysis a critical element in the search for the best location . Data on demographics , workforce , cost of living , housing , taxes , utility rates , transportation logistics , material supply chains and many other variables are readily available . Site selection firms are investing in and embracing data as a significant tool in the location decision making process .
Early in the site selection process , states often don ’ t know they ’ re under initial consideration . A site selector working on behalf of a company that desires to build a new facility in the Eastern U . S . may initially evaluate a dozen or more states and then narrow the list down based on feedback from the company . Acknowledgement that a state is under consideration usually comes in the form of a project summary and request for information ( RFI ) from a site selector .
The project summary and RFI contain a description of the project along with key information needed for the WVDED to locate sites or buildings that meet the criteria . Requirements like the amount of acreage or size and type of building needed ; utility capacities ; and whether the project requires access to a river , rail , major highway or port are just a few of the criteria found in a project summary . The project timeline , capital investment and projected employment figures are also
included . No two projects are the same , so requirements can vary greatly depending on the industry and size of the project .
RFI deadlines are usually seven to 10 days , and expansion and relocation projects borne out of the COVID-19 supply chain disruptions have shortened response times .
Site selectors have the responsibility of evaluating submissions from each state to create a short list of the best sites . Top sites undergo further evaluation , including a visit from the site selector and company representatives . For states whose sites don ’ t make the list , this is where the process ends .
Site visits are an opportunity for the WVDED to showcase West Virginia ’ s strengths and the qualities that set it apart from competitors . It ’ s also a chance to collaborate with county and regional economic development organizations and engage our state , regional and community partners to provide expertise on topics ranging from permitting to education and workforce training programs . It ’ s also a chance to share the success stories that aren ’ t reflected in the data .
One aspect of the site selection process the WVDED is working to improve is the availability of sites that are ready for development . Failure to have a site ready is one of the top reasons states are eliminated from the site selection process . With shorter project timelines becoming the new reality , site inventory must be ready , or have a plan to become ready , within a defined time period . Environmental site assessments must be complete and utilities must be available at the site in order for West Virginia to remain competitive . The West Virginia Legislature recognized this need and passed House Bill 4002 in 2022 to create the Certified Sites and Development Readiness Program , a critical component in West Virginia ’ s future success in attracting new investment .
Attracting new companies to the Mountain State is a team effort that takes everyone pulling the rope in the same direction to create wins for all West Virginians . •
Editor ' s Note : As of June 2023 , 526 properties were listed as available on the West Virginia Department of Economic Development website . The following is a sampling of 12 property listings .
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