This year, we are diving into one of the most critical factors in site selection, utility capacity. Rose Fagler, Weyerhaeuser Economic Development Manager, and Gray Swoope, VisionFirst Advisors President and Chief Executive Officer, speak to the importance of ensuring you are ready and able for growth. For this issue, we focus on future-proofing your market, including an informative Q&A with Rose and Gray.

Availability, capacity and cost are all critical factors for utilities, whether that be electrical, water or broadband. Click the video to learn more about the top site selection priorities. Click the button for a complete list of Site Selection Factors.

Rose Fagler, Weyerhaeuser Economic Development Manager. Rose specializes in connecting utility, transportation, economic development and community partners for the best use of land.

Gray Swoope, VisionFirst Advisors President and Chief Executive Officer. Gray is a recognized leader in economic development and site selection, representing both urban and rural regions.

Rose Fagler: "Gray, when you’re evaluating a market for a client, how big of a role do utilities play in your decision-making process?"

Gray Swoope: "It’s a top-tier factor. Business climate, workforce and incentives all matter, but if a site can’t support a company’s power, water or broadband needs, both now and in the future, it’s often eliminated early. It’s one of the first things we look at."

Rose: "At Weyerhaeuser, we understand and value that speed-to-market is critical. Can you talk about why that’s so important from a site selection perspective?"

Gray: "Speed-to-market can be the deciding factor between a company choosing one community over another. If we have to wait two years for a substation or water infrastructure to catch up, the project could go elsewhere. Companies need to know they can move fast and are scaling rapidly. Plus, emerging technologies like AI and automation are changing their utility demands. We need confidence that a community has a plan, not just for today but for the next five to 10 years. Markets that proactively invest in infrastructure and plan for growth definitely have a major advantage."

Rose: "That’s a great point. We are fortunate to have community partners at our sites that have strategically planned for growth. What do you think communities can do to better position themselves for large-scale investment?"

Gray: "Communities that have clear, well-documented data on existing capacity, planned expansions and realistic infrastructure timelines stand out. Strong partnerships with utility providers, pre-permitted sites and flexible infrastructure solutions also make a huge difference."

Rose: "If there’s one piece of advice you’d give to communities looking to attract large-scale investment, what would it be?"

Gray: "Future-proof your market. Companies don’t just want to know if they can operate today; they need to know they can grow for years to come. The communities that understand and plan for future utility demands will win the race for investment."

Rose: "This is why it is so important to Weyerhaeuser that we continually invest in our supersites and the communities they are located in. Our industrial parks are positioned for growth, capacity and expansion, so our onsite partners are positioned for success."

WHAT YOU'RE THINKING IS IMPORTANT TO US!

Send us your questions or comments about utility capacity and future-proofing your market. We're here to help!

FLORIDA AND GEORGIA - COMMITTED TO FUTURE-PROOFING MARKETS

Weyerhaeuser's two industrial supersites in Florida offer unrivaled locations, utility partners, rail access and outstanding economic development partners. Plus, both sites are in JAXPORT's Foreign Trade Zone #64 and are Approved U.S. Opportunity Zones!

At Weyerhaeuser, we continually invest in our supersites to help ensure your investment leads to success. Our three distinctive supersites offer abundant land, lower cost of living, pro-business legislation, utility resources and global transportation corridors.

WEYERHAEUSER PARTNER SITES - COLYELL AND STOKES

Outstanding Locations in Louisiana and South Carolina with Engaged Economic Partners

Weyerhaeuser's Colyell site in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, is ideally located between Baton Rouge (30 minutes) and New Orleans (one hour) via I-12. With 420 acres, the site offers an incredible opportunity for industrial development. Access to rail is less than three miles. Utility partners include DEMCO and Entergy. Plus, an amazing local economic partner in Livingston Economic Development Council.

Located in Colleton County, South Carolina (midway between Charleston and Savannah), our Stokes site presents 457 acres just two miles west of I-95. Palmetto Railways runs along the site. A workforce of 914k within 60 minutes provides the skill sets needed. With South Carolina Economic Alliance, Inc. as our economic development partner, the site is positioned to be an ideal location in the Southeast.

BANK ON THE BEST

Weyerhaeuser’s wetland and stream mitigation banks have helped provide timely, cost-effective and ecologically significant mitigation solutions for unavoidable impacts to wetlands and streams. These mitigation projects work to help replace the functions of a specific wetland and/or stream habitat affected by your project. Click the map to view mitigation bank sites.