5 Simple Ways Economic Developers Can Move the Needle on Site Readiness

Industrial projects are moving faster than ever. Reshoring, incentive programs, and strong demand for advanced manufacturing and logistics capacity are driving companies to evaluate multiple locations on a compressed timeline. For economic developers, one thing can make or break a community’s chances: site readiness.

A site may have the right location, incentives, and workforce on paper, but if a company can’t quickly evaluate its potential, or if they can’t picture themselves operating there, it often gets eliminated early in the process.

The good news? Communities don’t need to overhaul everything at once. By focusing on a few key areas, economic developers can significantly improve site competitiveness. Here are five simple ways to move the needle on site readiness.

1. Rally Your Partners Before a Project

Industrial projects involve more than land. Workforce development, utility coordination, and community leadership all play a role. Doing a “dress rehearsal” before a project lands ensures that everyone is prepared and ready to respond quickly.

What to do:

• Align local leadership and economic development officials so that messaging is consistent and decisions can be made promptly.
• Coordinate with utility partners to verify infrastructure capabilities and response timelines.
• Brief workforce partners, colleges, and technical schools on potential training or staffing needs.

2. Know Your Utility Capacities—Be RFI Ready

Companies evaluating sites often start with one question: Can the location support their utility needs? Power, water, wastewater, natural gas, and fiber are critical. If you can’t answer these questions in a timely and accurate manner, your site risks being dismissed before it’s seriously considered.

What to do:

• Gather data on current capacity, peak usage, and potential for expansion, including costs. 
• Document it clearly in a Request for Information (RFI) format so that prospects can immediately see the utility capabilities.
• Include maps, diagrams, or visuals where possible.

Being proactive here signals to prospects that your community is organized, knowledgeable, and prepared to support industrial operations. A site that can prove it can meet a company’s utility requirements often rises to the top of a short list.

3. Be Transparent About Costs

Cost clarity is another differentiator. Prospects need to know not only the property price, but also utility rates, taxes, and any other operating costs that might affect their bottom line. Uncertainty around costs can sometimes slow down the evaluation process and even disqualify a site from consideration.

What to do:

• Create a concise cost profile that includes property values, utility rates, and tax rates.
• Highlight any incentives, abatements, or tax advantages, but make sure they are current and verifiable.
• Include notes on potential cost escalations, like planned utility rate increases or costs associated with utility extensions or improvements. 

Transparency builds trust and saves time, allowing companies to make faster, more informed decisions.

4. Make the Site Easy to Visualize

Seeing a site in action helps prospects “picture themselves” operating there. Overgrown lots or incomplete site layouts make it harder for decision-makers to evaluate potential. Visual aids can significantly speed up the selection process.

What to do:

• Invest in clearly defined, high-resolution aerial photography.
• Provide site renderings or concept plans that show possible building configurations.
• Consider minor site clearing or grading to create a pad-ready appearance or a good vantage point. 

The goal is to make the site feel tangible and realistic. When a prospect can visualize operations, logistics, and expansion potential, your site immediately becomes more competitive.

5. Map Out Permitting and Regulatory Timelines

Even the most promising site can fall short if regulatory processes are unclear or unpredictable. Companies need an honest assessment of how long approvals will take and any potential obstacles that may arise.

What to do:

• Document permitting requirements, environmental reviews, and regulatory milestones.
• Create realistic timelines from site purchase to construction start.
• Be upfront about challenges, like wetlands, air permitting, or zoning considerations.

Clear, transparent information on permitting reduces risk through a company’s eyes. Communities that provide this insight demonstrate reliability and help prospects plan accurately, which can accelerate decision-making.

Final Thoughts

Site readiness isn’t about perfection; it’s about preparation. While there are many other ways to move the needle on site readiness, investing time in these five areas signals to companies that communities are ready to act, capable of supporting operations, and serious about winning projects. In a market where speed and certainty are increasingly important, being prepared is often the most valuable incentive of all.

To learn more about how Site Selection Group evaluates site readiness and helps communities prepare for industrial projects, please contact us.