The evolution of “business-best-practices” is reflected
in the places businesses operate.
1. Change is constant.
No organization
that stands still
prospers.
2. With change comes
new opportunities for
development that
have different needs.
Location Selection is a Process
of Elimination
Long List
Regions
Favorable
Region
Short List
Cities/Sites
ONE Winner
The New Business Location Paradigm
Favors Sustainable Communities
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ebb and flow of economy favors steady new investment
Local jobs that keep grown children home, stronger families
Healthier life styles, longer life, lower health care costs
Stable / safe neighborhoods
Wealth creation at all levels within the community
Reasonable tax burden, wise use of tax dollars
Buick City – Flint, MI
• Buick City ceased operations in 1999 after 100 years
• Flint population today 92,000
“To be competitive in the era of sustainability, economic
developers need to pursue highly collaborative, multi-
disciplined, and multi-jurisdictional approaches to
community readiness.”
Business and
Community
Converge on the
Triple-Bottom-Line
D
Effective Investment Attraction is a Team Sport
Sustainable Companies Selecting
Sustainable Communities
Corporate Driver
Risk and Crisis
Management
Community Screen
 Local resources are purposely
aligned to meet specific OI needs
• Real estate
• Transportation
• Permitting
• Utility Services
• Police and Fire Services
• Emergency Planning
• Regulation
Sustainable Companies Selecting Sustainable
Communities
Corporate Driver
Community Screen
Supply Chain
 Community investment in OI supply chain
increases the regionally sourced materials.
Human Capital
 Companies succeed where the workforce is
skilled, reliable, productive:
• Workers are loyal, adaptable to change
• Diversified & harmonious at all levels
• Modern, OI focused training resources
• Community is active in job retention
Sustainable Companies Selecting Sustainable
Communities
Corporate Driver
Operational
Eco-Efficiency
Community Screen
 Community support for a broad array of
corporate environmental policies:
• Waste stream management
• Water resource management
• Water use reduction
• Energy management best practices
• Recycling, reuse programs
Sustainable Companies Selecting Sustainable
Communities
Corporate Driver
Talent Attraction
and Retention
Community Screen
 Sustainable companies are best served by
communities with a live/work balace:
• Healthy downtown business districts
• Land planning that supports community
health / attractiveness
• Reuse of brownfield properties
• Resources devoted to promoting healthy
lifestyles
• Public transportation