In this episode of the Develop This! podcast, host Dennis Fraise dives into the newly released 2025 State of Site Selection annual report with guests Michelle Comerford from the Site Selectors Guild and Robyn Domber from Development Counsellors International. Together, they unpack the trends shaping facility location decisions and explore their implications for economic and community development professionals.

From the growing weight of risk factors such as policy shifts and tariffs to the pressing need for ready sites with robust infrastructure, the conversation explores how organizations can prepare for an increasingly complex site selection landscape. They also discuss the rising importance of reputation, including how community pushback can derail projects, and why proactive community engagement is now a must-have strategy.

Whether you're working to attract new investment or help your community stay competitive, this episode delivers practical insights grounded in real-world data from the Guild's annual report.

Key Takeaways:

• The Site Selectors Guild has published the State of Site Selection report annually since 2024.
• Risk—particularly in areas such as policy, tariffs, and uncertainty—is shaping decisions.
• Readiness—infrastructure, utilities, and shovel-ready sites—remains essential.
• Reputation and local pushback can create major hurdles for projects.
• Community engagement is critical to addressing concerns and building support.
• The report provides a clear and shareable resource for stakeholders.
• Site selectors are modeling multiple scenarios to help clients navigate uncertainty.
• Enhancing quality of life is key to attracting and retaining talent.