Volume I | December 2017
Welcome to the first issue of the Site Selectors Guild newsletter. Every quarter, we will feature member-written content, tips and news. We want this newsletter to be valuable for you, so please share your feedback and suggestions to help us improve. If you ever find what we offer is not for you, simply click 'unsubscribe' at the bottom of any email.
Blog Highlights
Fall Forum Recap
The 2017 Site Selectors Guild Fall Forum took place in Seattle on September 26-27. The conference brought together economic developers and site selection consultants from around the globe.


Working with International Companies – A U.S. Perspective
Attracting foreign companies to the U.S. is high on every economic developer’s list of priorities, but fair warning: a great deal of preparation and education is needed to ensure a smooth experience.

What You Need to Know about Incentives
Incentives are just part of what’s important to determine when choosing the right site. Typically, with the guidance of a professional site selector, incentives aren’t considered until late in the process.  Incentives are like the cherry on top of the sundae – not the sundae itself.

Location Factors: Transportation & Utility Infrastructure
For companies deciding where to invest in new or expanded facilities, transportation and utility infrastructure are often top on the list of location factors. For this reason, EDOs should know the details of local infrastructure and support ongoing investment, to ensure the community can compete for new investment.

Bring Site Selectors to your Hometown
Advisory Forums are one of the most effective ways a region can market itself to site selectors and enhance business attraction efforts. SSG works directly with states, regions and communities to provide officially sanctioned and customized SSG Advisory Forums, where communities have the opportunity to showcase their area and assets for business, while also learning about top industry trends and location drivers from some of the world's top site selection consultants.

SSG Donates $5,000 to the United Way of King County
As part of the 2017 Fall Forum held in Seattle, the Site Selectors Guild donated $5,000 to the United Way of King County. It is important to our members to give back to the communities where we live and operate.
Guild Members in the News

Wall Street Journal: In a tight labor market, companies are looking to set up in cities with large numbers of the underemployed who would leap at a new opportunity. Mark Williams spoke with The Wall Street Journal on the topic.

Logistics Management: While warehouse and distribution centers have historically been located where land is cheap and transportation networks are excellent, today’s criteria needs to include a skilled workforce ready to manage an increasingly digital operation. Michelle Comerford weighed in on e-commerce location needs.

Area Development: SSG Member Darin Buelow on Amazon HQ2 : “It’s safe to say nobody really knows what any particular priorities are except for the project team within the company.”
Site Selectors Guild | www.siteselectorsguild.com