by Didi Caldwell
In 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. That’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 first national program to establish uniform and transparent standards for site readiness. Developed and governed by Guild members, the program scores and designates sites to reflect real-world criteria used in corporate site selection, creating a robust database of development-ready sites.
A Response to Industry Needs
The idea behind REDI Sites began years ago as a response to the patchwork of site readiness programs throughout the United States. The program was shaped through extensive discussions with focus groups comprising local, regional and state economic development organizations, utilities, site consultants and Guild members. These discussions revealed a common frustration: the term “shovel-ready” was inconsistent from state to state and became increasingly difficult to navigate in terms of meaning.
“There isn’t a good national site that has great greenfield or brownfield properties with vetted documentation,” said one focus group participant. “Certified 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. The 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. Through 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 firm Strata Platforms was spun out of Global Location Strategies, the firm I serve as president and CEO, in March 2024 as an independent company.)
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 and
chair of the board of REDI Sites.