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Communicating Our Strengths

Communicating Our Strengths April 17, 2013
Site Selection Priorities and Our Messaging

[share]For the past 27 years, a leading site and facility planning publication, Area Development, has surveyed corporate decision makers regarding their location and expansion plans. Although not the final word in new facility development, the survey results provide excellent insights into key factors that influence site selection decisions.

Let’s take a look at the Top 26 Site Selection Factors Rankings of 2012:
  1. Labor costs
  2. Highway accessibility
  3. Availability of skilled labor
  4. Availability of advanced ICT (Information and Communication Technology) services
  5. Occupancy or construction costs

    Workforce, Highways, River Adams County Illinois Collage
    We must capitalize on and communicate our strengths including highway accessibility, available land, proximity to technical college/training and waterway accessibility, among others.
  6. Energy availability and costs
  7. Corporate tax rate
  8. Available buildings
  9. Tax exemptions
  10. Low union profile
  11. Right-to-work state
  12. Proximity to major markets
  13. State and local incentives
  14. Environmental regulations
  15. Expedited or “fast-track” permitting
  16. Inbound/outbound shipping costs
  17. Availability of long-term financing
  18. Available land
  19. Proximity to suppliers
  20. Training programs
  21. Accessibility to major airport
  22. Proximity to technical college/training
  23. Raw materials availability
  24. Railroad services
  25. Availability of unskilled labor
  26. Waterway or ocean port accessibility
So what do these rankings mean for our region?

These factors are important in developing the message that GREDF will use to aggressively market the Quincy and Adams County region for new investment. We must capitalize on and communicate our strengths including highway accessibility, available land, proximity to technical college/training and waterway accessibility, among others. According to the survey results, most companies are not planning significant movement to new plant and other facility locations until the later part of 2014/early 2015. This gives GREDF and our region time to research, craft and broadcast our message.

What about our existing businesses?

It is important to recognize that these site selection factors are also key as we continue to grow our business retention and expansion program. Most new investment will come in the form of growth by existing businesses. The companies in Quincy and Adams County are likely facing the same challenges as those corporations surveyed – including uneven growth and a lackluster national economic recovery. GREDF staff needs to be able to provide the support, linkages and potential resources to our existing companies so when they are ready to grow, they decide to stay in our community. SitesandBuildings

A Letter to Site Selectors

A Letter to Site Selectors May 12, 2011

[share] Why Quincy?

We were recently asked to write a letter on behalf of a local business owner looking to attract more businesses to our area. She wanted us to answer the question, “Why should a business locate in the Quincy area?”. Writing letters like these and creating custom informational packets about the opportunities and benefits available in the Quincy area are a fun part of our job. It’s our chance to brag. 

Have you ever been asked this question? What is your answer? Here’s ours: 

To Whom It May Concern:

Quincy… Life is Good! This isn’t just our slogan, it’s a reality.

The largest city within 100 miles, Quincy, Illinois is the regional hub for commerce, education, healthcare, recreation and more. Quincy easily draws more than 600,000 people in a 75-mile radius who prefer to shop, dine, work and play in a community that is friendly, vibrant and easy to navigate.

The City of Quincy and the surrounding tri-state region have a low cost of living, great schools, low crime and excellent healthcare. We also have short commute times and affordable housing, just two of the factors that led to Forbes magazine ranking Quincy number 8 on its list of Best Small Cities to Raise a Family (October 2010).

We know life is good and we have the numbers to prove it.

  • At 6.9%, Adams County ranked 3rd out of 102 counties for the lowest unemployment (March 2011).
  • Retail sales figures were up in 2010 and included a record-setting December when the City’s home rule sales tax was $1,027,336.
  • Quincy home sale prices, which have remained strong throughout the recent economic downturn, rose 20% in the first 3 months of 2011.
  • An on-going $100 million plus construction boom includes an apartment complex, university dormitory, Salvation Army Kroc Community Center, financial institutions and various retail establishments.

Thanks to transportation developments over the past decade, Quincy is at the center of 4-lane highways in all directions. The Avenue of the Saints passes just five miles to our west and is 4-lane from Canada to the Gulf and the newly designated Chicago – Kansas City Expressway (Route 110/CKC) offers a less-congested alternate route to these popular Midwest destinations.

Quincy is poised for continued growth. Our team of experienced economic development professionals stands ready to assist you in your site selection decisions. We invite you to visit our website, www.gredf.org for more information, or better yet, come visit us in person and experience for yourself how good life is in Quincy.

Sincerely,

Jim Mentesti
President
Great River Economic Development Foundation