Site Selection Database
Welcome to our Site Selection Database
The GMJ team has been directly involved in negotiating more than $30 billion in expansion and relocation projects, including some of the most recognizable names in business and industry.
A business considering an expansion or relocation will typically weigh a number of factors before making a final site selection. These might include availability of trained workforce and labor cost, proximity to customers, accessibility to key roadways and other transportation infrastructure, quality of life issues, cost of living, political and business climates, real estate costs, availability of incentives, legal considerations and others. Our team guides clients in evaluating these factors and formulating strategies on a final site selection.
Guiding Clients on Site Selection
Our overarching goal is to identify the location that best meets the needs of the client and delivers the greatest and long-term return on investment.
It is important that the our team be involved in this process from the earliest stage. Timing and sequencing of meetings and other activities are critical, and any misstep can jeopardize valuable incentives.
Our team has experience in various fields and high-stakes projects such as:
Industrial expansions
Corporation re-locations and expansions
Assistance with commercial property acquisitions
Contractor and real estate networking
Strategic partnerships and affiliate-building
Contract negotiation consulting
Succession and company transitions
Interpersonal communications consulting
Our Site Selection Process
Discovery
The discovery process allows the project team the opportunity to align on key site parameters, including team composition, operating requirements, controlling assumptions, establishing geographic areas of interest, location criteria, and critical timing components.
Our site selection consultants prepare a standard information request for the client to complete with all known parameters of the project. After an in-depth analysis and discussion of the information obtained, discovery is followed by the commencement of a customized multi-phase location screening process.
Location Screening
Through the location screening process, our team creates a customized portfolio of sites tailored to meet the parameters as defined in the discovery process. This project specific database is derived from our master database and is accessed through our site selection client portal.
Through multiple rounds of screening, our team evaluates various factors related to workforce, quality of life, market proximity, zoning and environmental constraints, tax incentives, utility infrastructure requirements and cost, and access to pipelines, navigable water, and transportation infrastructure.
With the continual development of information and parameter specifics, our team eliminates inadequate and unfavorable sites at the joint discretion of the client and consulting team.
At the end of the screening process, the remaining sites are further evaluated through our site validation process.
Site Validation
As part of the site validation process, key components of the project are further examined to ensure that any market attractions or potential hurdles not represented in the original screening data are uncovered.
At this stage, our team organizes meetings with landowners, lead economic development agencies, and other support services as necessary. This includes local and state officials, zoning boards, utility providers, logistical support services, etc.
In addition, our team arranges the initial site visit and any sequential visits as required.
Selection
During the selection process, additional field visits are arranged by our team to introduce other members of the project to the favored locations.
Project team concurrence on the recommended locations triggers final real estate and incentives negotiations, preferably in multiple locations to ensure most competitive negotiating positions.
At the end of the selection process, final commitment and implementation is established.