Well-maintained highways are vital to industrial recruitment because they serve as the backbone of modern commerce and logistics. Companies considering investment or expansion look for reliable infrastructure that allows for the efficient movement of goods, products/materials, and employees. Smooth, accessible roadways reduce transportation costs and improve delivery times, which helps industries maintain consistent supply chains. For businesses such as manufacturers, distributors, and logistics companies, a dependable highway system signals that a region is committed to supporting business operations and economic growth. When highways are in good condition, they also minimize wear and tear on commercial vehicles, which lowers maintenance costs for companies and make the area more attractive for industrial development.

Alabama has made much progress in workforce development; however, our journey has only begun. For too many years, business and education did not communicate effectively, which resulted in a deficit in many skilled trades – plumbers, electricians, welders, landscapers, etc. A lack of opportunities in some instances forced Alabamians to leave the state altogether in search of employment. Other times a lack of skills and/or jobs pushed able-bodied individuals into the welfare system, neither which yielded benefits to Alabama. The good news is that a myriad of industries – from aerospace, automotive, metals, biotechnology, chemicals, forestry and paper products, agriculture, defense, logistics, and more – exist in Alabama along with a business-friendly climate that positions our state well for growth. Stable employment can solve so many societal issues. My goal is to continue to recruit and retain businesses that rely on a quality and skilled workforce so that opportunity stays here at home.

When companies scout new locations, the standard checklist includes availability of a quality and skilled workforce, infrastructure, and operating costs. Yet public safety, too often underestimated, plays an important role. Public safety officials protect people and assets, which strengthens the long-term stability of businesses both large and small.

Access to healthcare is an often overlooked but increasingly important factor in the business site selection process. For companies evaluating where to locate a facility, whether it is a manufacturing plant, corporate office, or distribution center, the availability and quality of nearby healthcare services can have a direct impact on workforce stability, employee satisfaction, and long-term operational resilience. A location with strong healthcare infrastructure signals to prospective employees that their well-being and that of their families will be supported, which can be a powerful recruitment and retention tool, especially in competitive labor markets.

Jones Wadsworth: An Alabama-Based Site Selection Firm Creating Jobs in Urban and Rural Areas

When companies evaluate potential locations within Alabama for expansion or relocation, strong and safe communities are often at the top of the list of decision-making factors. Businesses want to invest in areas where employees feel secure, where families can thrive, and where long-term stability supports growth. A strong community reflects a foundation of civic pride, local leadership, and resilience, which are attributes that reduce risk and increase the appeal for both workforce attraction and capital investment.

As a site selector, I have learned that infrastructure is one of the most critical components in the evaluation process—often serving as the foundation upon which long-term success is built. Infrastructure encompasses roads, bridges, utilities, broadband connectivity, water and wastewater systems, rail access, energy reliability, and more. A community’s ability to support the current and future logistical needs of a business can directly influence the decision to invest in a location.

By: Nicole Jones Wadsworth, PhD, MBA, MS