EDCUtah’s Rex Buys attended the Area Development Consultants Forum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December. He took extensive notes of the site selectors’ presentations and panel discussions, and we’ve culled some of the most interesting insights.

1. Power was the biggest issue of 2025. Some of this is driven by datacenters. The annual Terawatt Hours (TWH) used by U.S. datacenters is expected to double between 2023 and 2027 (approximately 150 to 300 TWH). Power and local taxes are the highest operating expense line items for data centers. Labor is much lower. If you are in the running for a datacenter project, try to understand the financial underwriting that’s going on.
   

2. As artificial intelligence (AI) replaces administrative positions, technical degrees and trades could become better jobs in communities. Imagine a future where key industries are building tech companies and fixing pipes.
   

3. The “Airport Cutoff” can impact secondary markets and rural areas. This is the criterion stated by company executives that their expansion needs to be close to an airport with a direct flight back to headquarters. This is common with manufacturing facilities. Site selectors coach executives all the time not to use this criterion because it eliminates many good sites. 

4. Do you have enough workforce within 40-45 minute drive? Can you prove it with data? Site selectors have to be able to prove it to their clients, so if you can assist in that effort, it can benefit your bid. 
   

5. When responding to RFIs, don’t submit “TBD” for many data points. If the site selector is evaluating 100 site responses, TBDs will likely be passed over. If you don’t have the information, tell the site selector this and when you’ll be able to get it. 
   

6. Construction starts and housing construction starts are commonly used metrics for site selectors. Economic developers should be familiar with these data and deploy them to strengthen your case. 
   

7. A great tool to show economic and population growth: Google Earth images showing a region 10 years ago, 5 years ago, and today.
   

8. For small communities: Use a broker to market your land. If you don’t have a broker, other brokers won’t bother to look at your site because they believe they won’t get paid a commission if they engage with your site. It is also a sign that the site may lack utilities or have other defects. Sites without brokers get passed over more often. 
   

9. The OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) is redefining incentives and infrastructure investments. Leading changes to be aware of include tariffs, accelerated depreciation, new market tax credits (NMTC), opportunity zones, and changes in the Inflation Reduction Act. To learn more about the impacts of OBBBA, watch the recording of EDCUtah’s Virtual Town Hall here.  

If you have specific questions or would like more information from this conference, contact us at connect@edcutah.org.