The Strategic Value of Site Selection

By: Nicole J. Wadsworth, PhD, MBA, MS

Site selection is one of the most consequential decisions a community or company can make. The process aligns resources, infrastructure, people, and potential. Over the course of my career in economic development, I have come to view site selection as both an art and a science, with the power to shape the long-term trajectory of entire regions.

In Alabama, we are uniquely positioned. Our state offers a diverse landscape—from rural megasites to industrial corridors and innovation hubs. As someone who has traveled to all 67 counties over 25 times, I understand the complexity of pairing the right opportunity with the right location. It requires data, due diligence, vision, collaboration, and a deep respect for the communities involved.