{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"DT #649 The New Rules of Site Selection: Power, Risk, and the Future of Industrial Location Strategy","description":"What are the new rules shaping where major industrial projects choose to land? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Courtney Dunbar, Director of Site Selection at Burns &amp;amp; McDonnell, to unpack how technology, geopolitics, and infrastructure demands are reshaping modern site selection. Courtney breaks down how today\u2019s location decisions are being influenced far beyond traditional cost factors. From energy availability to geopolitical stability, companies are weighing risks and long-term resilience more heavily than ever before. A major focus of the conversation is infrastructure\u2014especially power. As industries like battery manufacturing and advanced manufacturing expand, access to reliable, scalable energy has become a critical deal-maker (or deal-breaker). The discussion also explores the evolution of \u201csite readiness,\u201d highlighting why master planning and strategic preparation of industrial sites delivers high returns for communities competing for investment. Courtney emphasizes that success in site selection today comes down to one thing: building a strong, defensible business case that aligns with industry needs, infrastructure realities, and long-term growth potential. Key Takeaways   Site selection is increasingly shaped by technology, geopolitics, and infrastructure   Power availability is a critical driver of industrial investment decisions   Battery manufacturing is growing beyond EV applications   Master-planned, shovel-ready sites offer a strong competitive advantage   Communities must understand and clearly communicate site limitations   Strong business cases are essential to winning projects   Key Topics Covered   Technological change in site selection   Geopolitical impacts on location decisions   Energy infrastructure and industrial demand   Battery manufacturing trends   Site readiness and community strategy   Sound Bites   \u201cBattery manufacturing is growing, but not primarily for EVs.\u201d   \u201cMaster planning sites is a high ROI investment.\u201d   \u201cSuccess depends on building a strong business case.\u201d   &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"Develop This: Economic and Community Development","author_url":"http:\/\/www.developthispodcast.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41193130\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/201642905"}