Choosing where a business locates or expands has never been more competitive – or complex. Drawing on insights from Phil Schneider, project principal at Global Location Strategies, and “The State of Site Selection 2026,” published by the Site Selectors Guild and Development Counsellors International, here are five considerations that matter most right now.
1. Power availability is a leading priority.
For most projects today, the first question isn't about land; it's about power. How much capacity can a utility deliver, how quickly, and can the site support future growth?
Communities that work with their utility partners to provide credible, documented answers to these questions are better positioned to compete. That means having clear capacity documentation with dates and assumptions, long-lead equipment plans and plain-language explanations ready before a prospect asks.
Alliant Energy perspective: We've seen this firsthand with the A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company expansion in Dickeyville, Wisconsin; Daisy Brand in Boone, Iowa; Meta's data center in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; and the QTS and Google data center campuses in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All required close collaboration among developers, communities and utility partners well before construction.
2. Site readiness helps reduce delays.
An available parcel isn't a ready parcel. Forty-three percent of site selectors report projects move slower than a year ago, and 35% say fewer announced projects are breaking ground.
The communities that win are those that complete environmental reviews, preliminary utility service plans and permitting groundwork before a prospect arrives.
Alliant Energy perspective: Newton Rail Park in Newton, Iowa, shows the value of this approach. We helped develop this certified site with community leaders, economic development partners and transportation providers, which positioned it for faster advancement when opportunities arise.
3. Workforce strategy requires the full talent spectrum.
Workforce availability remains critical, but site selectors look beyond headcount. They want skill alignment, technical training pipelines and education partnerships, especially in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. Demand follows a barbell framework: Highly specialized STEM talent on one end and trainable entry-level workers on the other. Both matter. Communities that don’t just rely on curriculum cycles but partner with employers to design flexible, company-led training programs are better positioned to compete.
Alliant Energy perspective: We support many of the technical and community colleges, universities and training facilities across Iowa and Wisconsin that help prepare workers for these jobs. Our education and industry partnerships help communities build talent pipelines aligned to employer needs.
4. Resilience now includes regulatory and geopolitical predictability.
Geopolitical risk and policy uncertainty now rank along workforce as top location factors, cited by 50% of site selectors. As companies navigate shifting trade policies and global market uncertainty, they increasingly favor locations that offer clear regulatory processes, transparent timelines and confidence in long-term operations. Predictability has become a competitive advantage.
Alliant Energy perspective: In an environment where companies increasingly manage risk alongside cost, our role is to provide clarity around infrastructure readiness, capacity and timelines early in the process to help reduce uncertainty and support informed investment decisions.
5. Community support is a precompetitive factor.
Communities are often eliminated before they ever know they’re considered. Site selectors now assess opposition, permitting risk and local political dynamics during initial screening, sometimes at the 10-12 location stage, long before they announce a short list. Economic development organizations (EDOs) that proactively disclose known community sensitivities early, rather than waiting for consultants to surface them, build trust that keeps communities in the running. As one site selector put it, the single biggest driver of trust is when EDOs “stop just selling and start advising.”
Alliant Energy perspective: The strongest projects start with collaboration, often years before site selection. At Alliant Energy, we partner with communities and economic development organizations across Iowa and Wisconsin to address infrastructure needs, improve site competitiveness and reduce the uncertainty that slows investment decisions.
Reach out to learn how we can work together to position your community for long-term success.
Sources: Phil Schneider, CSSC, “Top Issues Shaping Site Selection in 2026” presentation; “The State of Site Selection 2026” report, Site Selectors Guild/Development Counsellors International, June 2026.