Authored By: Jacob Di Mattia, Vice President, Evergreen Location Strategies
As companies navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, site selection strategy has become more critical—and more nuanced—than ever. From utility access and policy uncertainty to livability and supply chain resilience, corporate leaders are asking tough questions when deciding where to grow.
Members of the Evergreen Location Strategies team recently attended two impactful industry events—the Virginia Consultants Forum, hosted by Team Virginia, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), and the Virginia Economic Development Association, and the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. These events brought together site selection consultants, economic developers, and corporate leaders to explore what’s shaping business location decisions in the U.S. today.
Conversations at both conferences revealed five recurring questions and themes that are actively influencing how and where companies choose to invest in 2025:
1. How Can Regions Improve Their Livability and Market Perception?
Attracting corporate investment is no longer just about infrastructure and incentives—it’s also about livability, workforce quality, and brand perception.
Many regions, especially those rooted in government contracting or traditional manufacturing, are asking:
- How do we reposition ourselves to attract advanced manufacturing or tech-driven industries?
- What quality-of-life factors are most important to relocating companies?
- How are other regions successfully shifting their narrative?
To stay competitive, communities must effectively communicate their value, not just to companies, but to the people who will live and work there. That means investing in housing, education, talent attraction, and placemaking to support long-term growth. Without a strong, proactive narrative, regions risk being overlooked in today’s fast-moving market.
Learn how to sharpen your strategy and avoid common missteps in Avoiding Pitfalls: Overcoming Top Mistakes Companies Make in Site Selection.
2. How Are Energy Prices and Policy Shaping Site Feasibility?
Utility access and energy pricing are at the center of almost every site selection conversation right now, especially for industries like data centers and advanced manufacturing.
Key concerns:
- Where are electric prices headed, especially in states phasing out fossil fuels?
- How reliable is the power grid in our target regions?
- What are the long-term implications of shifting clean energy policies?
Many companies are finding that grid capacity and policy volatility are ruling out otherwise attractive regions. In Virginia, for example, electric reliability challenges have become a recurring theme. States with clear energy strategies and affordable, scalable power solutions are rising to the top of shortlists.
For more on how policy and energy concerns shape site feasibility, read Smart Expansion in the Energy Sector.
3. Are Incentive Programs Still a Differentiator?
Incentives continue to play a key role in site selection, but companies are looking beyond the headlines. They want certainty, speed, and strategic value.
We’re hearing these questions again and again:
- Which state and local incentive programs are truly impactful?
- How can we compare offers between regions with different tax and regulatory environments?
- How are incentive programs adapting in the post-COVID economy?
With nearly every U.S. state represented at SelectUSA, it’s clear that the incentive landscape is more competitive than ever. The most attractive programs are those that provide support beyond the deal, including infrastructure development, workforce training, and permitting assistance.
4. What Non-Monetary Factors Are Speeding Up—or Slowing Down—Projects?
While financial incentives draw attention, it’s the non-monetary factors—like permitting efficiency and site readiness—that often seal the deal.
Companies are asking:
- Can we navigate local permitting without delays or surprises?
- Are sites pre-zoned, cleared, and equipped with utility access?
- Who can help us accelerate approvals and stay on timeline?
When a project is greenlit by internal stakeholders or investors, time becomes a critical factor. Communities that streamline zoning and permitting, mitigate ambiguity in local codes, and provide direct access to decision-makers are rising above the rest.
At both recent conferences, “speed to market” emerged as a clear differentiator. Sites that are prepped—with infrastructure in place, environmental concerns addressed, and community plans aligned—are significantly more competitive. States and regions that can operate at the speed of business are winning more deals.
5. What Has Shifted Since COVID and the 2024 Election?
After several years of global disruptions, companies are showing renewed urgency around U.S. expansion, especially in manufacturing and logistics.
We’re getting asked:
- How has global supply chain volatility increased reshoring and nearshoring activity?
- What’s driving the surge in new RFIs and site searches after the slowdown in late 2023?
- How is post-election clarity influencing corporate travel and project planning?
Tariffs, public policy, and industrial policy are pushing more companies to reconsider the U.S. as a hub for growth. At the same time, global firms are asking more from their advisors, looking to site selection consultants to help them navigate an expanding and increasingly competitive market.
Final Takeaway: What Companies Want in 2025
Across every conversation at these national forums, the top priorities were clear:
- Speed – Sites must be ready to go.
- Certainty – Water, power, permitting, and policies must be aligned.
- Support – Companies want more than a handshake; they want a partnership.
At Evergreen Location Strategies, we help clients cut through complexity to find strategic, future-ready sites that meet their business needs. From evaluating utility constraints to aligning incentives and guiding permitting timelines, our team brings clarity and confidence to every stage of the site selection process.
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