Strengthening Business Recruitment Through Smart Site Selection
Industry, government, and community leaders from across the region came together for a workshop focused on the essential mission of positioning our communities to successfully attract new businesses. As economic development grows increasingly competitive, communities that understand the priorities of site selectors have the best chance of landing new jobs, investment, and long-term economic vitality.
Presented by Andrew Ratchford from the Site Selection Group, the workshop explored what really matters during the site selection process, how communities can differentiate themselves, and what steps leaders can take right now to enhance readiness.
What Communities Must Do
Focused on first identifying what a community can support and who needs to be involved in the process for information gathering, visits, and negotiations, Ratchford emphasized that the site selection process “takes a tribe” to be successful. Economic development organizations, city councils, county leaders, planning staff, chambers of commerce, utility partners, and even local employers all play a role. Site selectors notice when a community speaks with one voice. Strong collaboration signals stability, problem-solving capacity, and shared vision. All are attractive traits for long-term investments. Communities should understand their current assets and strengths, define and set clear community goals, and create a strategy and policies to support those goals. Ratchford emphasized that those best positioned will have public site investments, regulations to support market growth, and have identified solutions to barriers that may be present.
First Impressions Matter
Once these elements are aligned, first impressions must be on target. Building a digital presence that provides accurate and easily accessible demographic data, available sites, and quality of life makes a difference in getting noticed by potential investors. When visitors come, investing in site readiness and hospitality will make all the difference. Clear environmental, utility, GIS data and permitting due diligence saves companies time and reduces risk. A welcoming and professional community offering authentic local experiences reinforce the message that “We want your business here, and we’re ready to support you.”
Moving Forward
The workshop served as a powerful reminder that economic development is not just about marketing available land, it’s about cultivating a community environment where businesses can thrive, and people want to live.
Many thanks to Gamber Johnson for providing the venue for the event, and to Barb Koldos of New North, Melinda Osterberg with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the City of Wisconsin Rapids, and the Site Selection Group for bringing this workshop to Central Wisconsin.