< Previousnot just because of proximity to other tech firms, but because of the rich ecosystem: international airports, venture capital, skilled workers, research universities and more. The same principle holds true for manufacturing economies. For nearly 75 years, American hubs like Detroit, Cleveland, St. Louis and Chicago grew because of agglomeration. These regions offered dense supplier networks, a pool of skilled labor, relevant training institutions and specialized infrastructure — all of which allowed industries to flourish and evolve together. The Hamilton Index captures this dynamic. If a company is in an industry and is considering relocating to a state where that industry is virtually nonexistent, that’s a red flag. Conversely, moving to a state with a critical mass of similar firms provides strategic advantages — access to suppliers, talent, knowledge spillovers and more. The Index doesn’t make decisions for firms, but it offers crucial insight into regional industrial ecosystems that can significantly inform the location strategy. Your recommendation to reorganize Tech Hubs, NSF Engines, etc. aligns with what U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick has announced will be a streamlining of the Tech Hubs program. How do you see that process unfolding? Robert Atkinson: The key issue is whether the administration intends to reorganize the program or cut it. It should not be cut — there was barely enough funding to begin with. In its current state, the program tried to do too much with too little, and some of the regions selected lacked the long-term potential to become self-sustaining innovation hubs. So, yes, streamlining the program is the right move. A more effective approach would prioritize what we called “Goldilocks regions” — not already dominant innovation centers, but places with the right ingredients to blossom with targeted federal support. Crucially, there was insufficient coordination between the NSF and EDA hubs, resulting in overlap and fragmentation. A successful hub should, within five to 10 years of designation, evolve into a globally competitive, self- sustaining innovation cluster, no longer dependent on continued federal support. But the reality is that most regions will not reach that point. Only regions with at least moderate existing tech capabilities have a credible chance. Scan this QR code to access an expanded edition of this article, including breakdowns of ITIF findings by key sectors, an expanded Q&A and a list of top 20 potential U.S. metro area growth centers for advanced-tech industries. SITE SELECTION JULY 2025 75 Beyond hard assets, “community capital” is critical — the ability of regional leaders across public, private, academic and nonprofit sectors to collaborate energetically and strategically. If a region can’t align its leadership around a clear innovation vision, it likely won’t succeed, regardless of funding. You call for banning incentives for Chinese FDI in the United States. Legitimate Chinese companies meanwhile continue to invest in major job-creating facilities worldwide. Would you welcome un-incentivized Chinese FDI? Robert Atkinson: Yes, I would — as long as it doesn’t involve the acquisition of an American company. If a Chinese firm wants to build a factory in the U.S., for example, in most cases that kind of greenfield investment would be acceptable. What I strongly object to is state governments subsidizing those investments with public funds. There is no compelling reason for U.S. taxpayers to underwrite Chinese state-affiliated enterprises when those resources could be better used to bolster domestic industry. More broadly, the federal government’s top priority should be protecting and revitalizing the United States’ advanced industry capabilities. China is not simply participating in a level global playing field — it is actively pursuing a mercantilist, state-directed strategy to dominate key sectors and gain global market share at the expense of foreign competitors. On a case-by-case basis, some Chinese FDI may provide economic benefits to the U.S., such as jobs or localized growth. But it’s important to recognize that a significant share of Chinese investment is guided or supported by Beijing as part of an “‘indigenous innovation” strategy that targets strategic sectors vital to U.S. national security and technological leadership. That reality must shape how we evaluate and regulate these investments. ITIF Founder and President Robert D. Atkinson76 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION I n an era when speed to market, infrastructure access and reliable data drive corporate location decisions, communities face increasing pressure to demonstrate that their sites are truly ready for investment. at’s where REDI Sites comes in — a consultant-driven, third-party designation designed to elevate how industrial sites are evaluated and marketed across the United States. Launched by the Site Selectors Guild, an association of the world’s top location strategy consultants, REDI Sites (Readiness Evaluation for Development and Investment) is the fi rst national program to establish uniform and transparent standards for site readiness. Developed and governed by Guild members, the program scores and designates sites to refl ect real-world criteria used in corporate site selection, creating a robust database of development-ready sites. A Response to Industry Needs e idea behind REDI Sites began years ago as a response to the patchwork of site readiness programs throughout the United States. e program was shaped through extensive discussions with focus groups comprising local, regional by DIDI CALDWELL editor@siteselection.com SITE DEVELOPMENT BRONZE MEGA SITE USA Dwight, IL | 364 AC BRONZE HEART OF AMERICA MEGA SITE New Florence, MO | 1,704 AC GOLD GATEWAY EAST Mesa Gateway Airport Mesa, AZ | 273 AC SILVER CENTERPORT BUSINESS PARK Amarillo, TX | 77 AC RAISING THE BAR : How REDI Sites Is Defi ning The National Standard for Site Readiness SITE SELECTION JULY 2025 77 and state economic development organizations, utilities, site consultants and Guild members. ese discussions revealed a common frustration: the term “shovel-ready” was inconsistent from state to state and became increasingly diffi cult to navigate in terms of meaning. “ ere isn’t a good national site that has great greenfi eld or brownfi eld properties with vetted documentation,” said one focus group participant. “Certifi ed sites vary widely by state or region. REDI Sites could provide a standard and the credibility of a third-party review.” Credibility is crucial in site selection. e REDI Sites program is not merely a checklist; it is a thorough, consultant-reviewed assessment that includes scoring matrices, platform-integrated evaluations and expert reviews by Guild member consultants. rough a collaboration with Terracon and technology enabled by Strata Platforms’ suite of software, the program combines environmental due diligence, geospatial data and targeted marketing. (Site selection software fi rm Strata Platforms was spun out of Global Location Strategies, the fi rm I serve as president and CEO, in March as an independent company.) EMERGING SITES LIGHTHOUSE ROAD SITE Guilford Springs, PA | 248 AC COWLEY SITE McCalla, AL | 224 AC REDI Site Designations ROUNDS ONE & TWO BRONZE GREAT MEADOWS MEGA INDUSTRIAL PARK Morganton, NC | 1,353 AC PLATINUM COMMONWEALTH CROSSING BUSINESS CENTER – TRACT 2 Ridgeway, VA | 200 AC GOLD SOUTHERN VIRGINIA MEGASITE AT BERRY HILL Danville, VA | 3,278 AC BRONZE ROCKCASTLE MEGA SITE Mount Vernon, KY | 1,300+ AC GOLD JOHN H. STIGALL BUSINESS CENTER Danville, KY | 17.8 AC BRONZE SHELBYVILLE NORFOLK SOUTHERN Shelbyville, KY | 251 AC BRONZE ALEXANDRIA BUSINESS PARK Alexandria, IN | 458 AC SILVER REDI ARKANSAS MANUFACTURING CENTER Texarkana, AR | 1,350 AC BRONZE RED ROCK SOUTH McCalla, AL | 107 AC SILVER NEAR MEGA SITE Gadsen, AL | 1,083 AC SILVER TRI-COUNTY GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL SITE Orangeburg, SC | 380 AC78 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION A Tiered Designation Model Sites are evaluated and assigned one of five designations — Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Emerging — based on their level of readiness. The process includes: • Online data collection through a standardized RFI • Site data analysis • Marketing support and site listing • A branded RFI scoring matrix evaluating utilities, ease of development, logistics, ownership and entitlements, and environmental • Feedback on steps to advance the site’s level of readiness. The tiered model doesn’t just label a site; it provides a roadmap for improvement. As one economic development organization (EDO) noted, “Even if we’re not ready yet, REDI gives us concrete examples of what we need to do and the ammunition to go back to our boards and get the funding (to be more competitive).” What Makes REDI Sites Different? It’s objective. The program is industry- and use-agnostic, relying solely on data that make a site investment-ready. Every application is reviewed by active engineers, subject matter experts and site consultants, ensuring not only that a site meets the expectations of corporate decision-makers but also that Guild members have direct eyes on that site. It is accessible. Any site, whether public, private, rural or urban, is eligible to apply. The program is not limited to EDOs or utilities; private developers and companies are also eligible to apply. The only eligibility requirements are that the site must be located in the United States, at least five acres in size and available for sale or lease. Pricing is scaled based on acreage to ensure broad access. It’s transparent. Designations are supported by a clear scoring system, and sites receive feedback along with their scores. It’s strategic. REDI Sites is more than just a designation program; it’s a business development tool. Designated sites are featured in a database, promoted through direct outreach and social media, and highlighted in major national media partnerships like CNBC’s “Top States for Business.” It enhances other designations. While the program was designed to establish a standard for site readiness, the designation is intended to work in partnership with other shovel-ready designations. If a site achieved a shovel-ready designation in another program, it is well-positioned to apply for and receive its REDI Sites designation. Momentum and Market Response REDI Sites launched its first designations in Fall 2024, seeing strong early participation. Organizations such as Norfolk Southern, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the Boyer Company have received designations. Currently, there are 17 designated sites, with more than 41 under review and many others expressing interest. Momentum is building. The program’s governing committee includes prominent Guild members such as Phil Schneider, Jeanette Goldsmith, Larry Gigerich, Taylor Gravois, Don Schjeldahl and Gregg Wassmansdorf, with me serving as chair. Empowering Communities — and Investors The REDI Sites program empowers communities by providing a nationally recognized standard for site readiness, a crucial element in today’s competitive landscape. As Norfolk Southern Director of Industrial Development MaryBeth Flournoy attests, the Guild’s “deep industry credibility, site strategy expertise and rigorous review process made it a natural fit for our industrial development goals.” Achieving a REDI Sites designation means the participants’ commitment to preparedness is validated, sharpening their competitive edge in attracting impactful projects. In today’s race for high-impact projects, giving lip-service to “shovel-ready” isn’t enough. REDI Sites redefines readiness with national credibility, practical guidance from active site consultants and a system designed by those who know what it takes to win. For site selectors, REDI Sites provides streamlined access to rigorously vetted, investment- ready properties, ensuring confidence and efficiency while minimizing risk and uncertainty. For communities, the program presents a clear and actionable path to improvement. And for companies, it delivers a trusted signal that a site is not just available but REDI. Didi Caldwell, president and CEO of Global Location Strategies, is chair of the board of REDI Sites.80 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION W ant to know why so many Americans are choosing to relocate to small towns and rural communities? Talk to the folks who have made the move. When Roshonda Hightower moved last year from Albany, Georgia, to Tell City, Indiana, she said she did so “for the peace and affordability that’s hard to find in the big cities.” She added, “As a remote worker, I wanted a place with a strong sense of community, beautiful surroundings and a slower pace of life. Tell City in Perry County, having the reliable fiber internet which I needed as a remote worker, checked all the boxes.” Hightower is far from alone. All across the U.S., individuals and families are opting for a quieter and often safer lifestyle by ditching the bright lights of the big city and moving to Small Town USA. The numbers back it up. According to a May 15 press release from the U.S. Census Bureau, the 15 fastest-growing cities and towns between July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, with populations of 20,000 or more were all smaller cities. Princeton, Texas, led the way with a whopping 30.6% increase in population in just one year, growing its total residents to 37,019. Fulshear, Texas, came in second with a 26.9% increase to 54,629, followed by Leesburg, Florida, which grew by 18.5% to 37,815. Of the 15 fastest-growing cities in America, seven are in Texas. (See chart, p. 82.) In Hightower’s case, she left behind Albany, a city of 66,877, for Tell City, a place of 7,485 people. “There’s something about the slower pace, friendly faces and quiet beauty of this place that’s brought me a sense of peace I didn’t realize I was missing,” by RON STARNER ron.starner@siteselection.com RURAL ADVANTAGE Columbus, Georgia Photo courtesy of MakeMyMove.org When the Small Town Is the Smart Move Why talented workers are choosing places in the American heartland. SITE SELECTION JULY 2025 81 Hightower says. “Remote work gave me the freedom; Tell City gave me the calm. My move to Tell City wasn’t just a leap of faith – it was a smart one.” Perry County is one of a growing number of places that participates with MakeMyMove.org to incentivize people who desire a slower pace of life in a small-town setting. So does Columbus, Georgia, which recently secured a new resident in Althea McBride, who left behind Los Angeles and its 3.88 million people for her new hometown – a mid-sized city of 201,877 people in southwestern Georgia. “People expect Columbus to be slow, but it is Georgia’s second largest city,” McBride says. “It is more like Culver City, California. There are a lot of different things to do in Columbus; and it is only 90 minutes from Atlanta. Columbus has its own airport, allowing me to travel for my job as a remote worker.” ‘Welcome Home’ Is More Than a Slogan Communities that participate in the MakeMyMove program typically offer cash incentives of anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 to help newcomers cover the costs of moving expenses. Beyond that, they help the new residents meet people, join clubs and integrate into their new hometowns. McBride says other benefits include free membership for a year at a local swimming pool and six months of free access to a coworking space in Columbus. “They have a lot of mixers so that you can meet other new residents in town,” she says. “I have been able to network with people through this program. It helped me get my feet planted.” Getting your feet planted is a big deal for new residents. Evan Hock, chief operating officer at MakeMyMove, says that is where his organization excels. “We view the word ‘welcoming’ as an active verb,” he says. “We want to know what each community is going to do to help people make the move. We look at customer service and how quickly they are responding to messages through our platform.” Hock’s group even ranks these communities on how effective they are at rolling out the welcome mat to new residents. Selected for their innovative approaches to population growth and community integration, this year’s Most Welcoming Places, says Hock, are: • Columbus, Georgia • Eastern Kentucky • Noblesville, Indiana • Perry County, Indiana • Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas • Tulsa, Oklahoma “The communities understand that relocation isn’t just about moving houses. It’s about building a life,” says Hock. “The leaders behind these programs are creating real human connections, removing barriers for newcomers and proving that a welcoming community is the best incentive of all.” Columbus, for example, has implemented a program to strategically increase its population by 4% by 2026. It uses a matchmaking approach to identify and select movers who will relocate for the long term. In Perry County, Shiraz Mukarram, an immigrant turned local leader, takes welcoming new movers personally and provides 24/7 support to help each new resident settle in. There are a lot of different things to do in Columbus; it is only 90 minutes from Atlanta.... and has its own airport, allowing me to travel for my job as a remote worker.” — Althea McBride , new resident of Columbus, Georgia82 JULY 2025 SITE SELECTION By all accounts, these programs are working, says Hock, resulting in thousands of new residents collectively relocating each year to these smaller towns and cities. Moreover, these newcomers are often bringing high-wage jobs with them, whether as remote workers or as new hires at local companies. In that sense, they are fulfilling an economic development goal of their newly adopted communities. What’s Driving People to Small Towns? New York-based Development Counsellors International recently conducted a study of people who relocated and discovered that the most important factors driving the relocation decision were cost of living and financial security. The report, titled “Talent Wars,” looked at where people were moving across the U.S. and Canada. Study co-author Patience Fairbrother of DCI said that, “Increasingly, people had a lot more flexibility post-COVID. People associate quality of life with financial security. Lowering your cost of living jumped up into the top three triggers for relocating.” Co-author Robyn Domber said there are implications for employers from this exodus of people from large city centers. “There is almost sort of a reverse industrial revolution happening,” she says. “Companies now have to look further out from the urban centers. Talent is now looking to do the reverse commute. They have to look even further out of the city centers for job opportunities. Talent will want to live closer to where they are working.” Other factors driving the relocation decision, the authors said, include the cost of housing and a desire to be closer to family. “People are defining quality of life around must-have factors like cost of living and safety,” says Fairbrother. “Culture and nightlife are now considered to be more the nice-to- have things, but they are not the driver anymore.” As talented workers with skills continue to relocate to smaller and more outlying communities, they are dragging big-budget capital investments with them. An analysis of the Conway Projects Database shows that nine projects of $1 billion or greater landed in micropolitan areas around the U.S. over the past 12 months. These included the $10 billion data center campus investment of Compass Datacenters in Meridian, Mississippi, and the $1.35 billion Microporous LLC electronics investment in Danville, Virginia. Other micropolitan areas to receive large-scale projects over the past year include Williston, North Dakota; Columbus, Mississippi; Jamestown, North Dakota; and Orangeburg, South Carolina. Another 11 deals of $250 million or more went to small towns around the country, per the official projects database of Site Selection. Domber of DCI says she expects these relocation trends to continue. “We are seeing the impact of the Great Reflection that we saw during COVID,” she says. “People are reassessing what is most meaningful to them. People now are refocused on the stability factor and affordability.” When asked how they would advise small towns or rural communities on how to attract talented workers, Fairbrother says: • “First and foremost, lead with your affordability advantage and make that front and center in your marketing materials.” • “Secondly, address safety concerns up front. Be up front with the data and make it readily accessible.” • “Thirdly, make your own residents available as marketers. The people currently living in your community are your best advocates.” THE 15 FASTEST- GROWING CITIES IN AMERICA JULY 2023 – JULY 2024 1. Princeton, TX 2. Fulshear, TX 3. Leesburg, FL 4. Celina, TX 5. Anna, TX 6. Haines City, FL 7. Foley, AL 8. Fate, TX 9. Rosemount, MN 10. Garner, NC 11. Melissa, TX 12. Sugar Hill, GA 13. Hutto, TX 14. Leland, NC 15. Erie, CO Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates (for cities and towns with population estimates of 20,000 or more as of July 1, 2023. My move to Tell City wasn’t just a leap of faith — it was a smart one.” — Roshonda Hightower , new resident of Tell City in Perry County, IndianaNext >