Whether you are looking to expand your business or relocate your own headquarters, there are site selection key factors to consider when choosing a business location.
It is important to identify your site selection criteria and evaluate its priority upfront. As you work through your site selection checklist, there will be tradeoffs between the cost of the land, transportation infrastructure, utilities, supply chain, labor availability, economic incentives, etc.
11 Key Site Selection Factors
The ideal location will depend on your type of business. Make sure you consider the following: type of business, operations, accessibility, distance, labor and recruiting, security, utilities, growth potential, local geography and regulations, and incentives.
Type of Business
The type of business goes hand in hand with its priorities. Technology-related production and manufacturing will prioritize zoning, manufacturing space, broadband, and transportation routes. Large business offices are more inclined to prioritize office space, meeting rooms, parking, amenities, and the surrounding environment.
Operations
Consider the space and facility structure needed to accommodate operations. The size, shape, and layout of the facility will be heavily influenced by operations. For example, manufacturers need to ensure sufficient and optimal space for supplies, storage, manufacturing, shipping, and receiving.
Accessibility
The location should be easy to access for suppliers, customers, and employees. Also, consider what type of access will be needed and how frequently. Do you need proximity to highways, interstates, airports, rail, or other transportation systems?
Distance
Consider the geographic location, inbound materials, and outbound shipments. Where are your key suppliers? Where are your customers? Transportation costs add up. You will want to minimize the distance between the raw materials, facility, and customer.
Labor & Recruiting
You will need a labor force with the necessary knowledge and skills. Evaluate what the labor market is today and what it will be in 10 to 20 years. The labor market and availability will change as demographics change.
Look for an area where your local talent already lives and/or find an area where employees would be willing to relocate. If you need to bring talent to the area, you need to choose a location where employees will want to live. Consider the local community, the cost-of-living, and the real estate availability.
To build a sustainable workforce, consider what labor training programs and continuing education programs are available. Partnerships with local universities, technical colleges, and other institutions can be a valuable way to build a sustainable labor pipeline.
Security
Different locations have different crime rates, which in turn can affect security costs and insurance premiums. Identify locations where crime is lowest and where your employees will safe. No matter how safe an area is, it is still worth investing in a security system for access control and continuous monitoring.
Utilities
Estimate your demand for and cost of utilities. Consider electric power, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecommunications. The location needs to be able to provide an adequate supply and an affordable cost.
Growth Potential
As the business grows, evaluate if there is the ability to expand your facility at the business location. If the land is already surrounded by other buildings, expansion may not be possible. Often, it is better to select a location where there is room to grow.
Local Geography
Consider the local geography including the topography, drainage, and applicable regulations. These factors will influence the cost of construction. It is also important to consider the type of soil. Very porous soil can lead to foundation issues in the long run.
Zoning & Regulations
Look into the applicable zoning, city, county, state, and federal regulations. Zoning regulations may limit how the site can be used and the type of business. There may be local regulations regarding vacant spaces, green space, heights of buildings, signage, etc.
Incentives
Consider the available inventive programs such as loans, grants, tax credits, and other financing assistance.
Choose Whitewater
Considering the 11 key factors above will help you select the right site. Considering these factors, what does the Whitewater University Technology Park have to offer?
Type of Business
The Whitewater University Technology Park is located within the broader Whitewater Business Park that covers 540 acres. The Whitewater University Technology Park spans 130 acres and a portion of it is Certified in Wisconsin. Technology-related production or processing, research & development, telecommunication centers, business offices, and pilot plants are eligible for Certified in Wisconsin sites.
Operations
Within the 130-acre Technology Park, there are various lots available. There are 12 building sites that are ready for construction with all the utilities included and state-of-the-art technology infrastructure in place.
Accessibility
Whitewater is conveniently located less than two miles from U.S. Highway 12, approximately 50 miles from Madison and Milwaukee, and just 80 miles from Chicago. Interstates can be accessed 11 miles away. Interstates 43, 90, and 94 are located just minutes from US Highway 12 and State Highway 59 and 89. Whitewater is served by 4 airports within 50 miles. The Dane County Airport is 47 miles, and the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 50 miles away.
Distance
Distance to raw materials and customers will vary from business to business.
Labor & Recruiting
Whitewater is primarily located in Walworth County but is also part of Jefferson County and near Rock County and Waukesha County. Whitewater and the surrounding area are one of the highest educated portions in the State of Wisconsin.
Whitewater offers a highly educated workforce skilled in management consulting, human resources and benefit administration, accounting, etc. With the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater located just up the road, there is a steady pipeline of talent and many continuous educational programs available. Approximately 12,000 students attend the University and have a choice of 50 majors.
For those who may need to relocate, Whitewater is a “micropolitan” city that offers a small town feel with easy access to nearby major cities. Whitewater has excellent public schools, a historic downtown, plentiful community organizations, and local events. As an Ice Age Trail community, Whitewater offers plentiful recreation throughout the nearby Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest.
Security
From the east side to the west side, Whitewater is a walkable community.
Utilities
Whitewater offers below-average costs for labor and utilities. Also, it has one of the lowest tax rates in Wisconsin. The Business Park and Technology Park have invested in top-quality access to excellent infrastructure including sanitary sewers, water mains, electrical power supply, natural gas, advanced telecommunications, and dark fiber optic connectively (learn more about the infrastructure).
Growth Potential
The broader Whitewater Business Park covers 540 acres with the ability to expand to nearly 1,000 acres. The Whitewater University Technology Park spans 130 acres and most of it is available and ready for development.
Local Geography
The Technology Park and surroundings are suited for industrial activity. Specifically, the Certified in Wisconsin Development sites are not located on or adjacent to a flood plan, have no significant topography issues, no utility easements, and no known environmental, archaeological, or historical impediments.
Zoning & Regulations
The Technology Park is zoned industrial and has compatible surrounding property zoning. The Technology Park is located with the City of Whitewater in Walworth County.
Incentives
The Whitewater Business Park and Whitewater University Technology Park lie within the Opportunity Zone. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) established Opportunity Zones to incite private investment in designated economically challenged communities.
As the economic development organization for the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Community Development Authority provides financial assistance including grants, industrial development loans., commercial enterprise loans, micro-loan programs, façade loan programs, tax increment financing, and no interest rehabilitation loan program.
If you would like to learn more about the available sites, please contact us.