Beth Buckner and Beth Friedrich Co‑Author Article on Modern Manufacturing Site Needs

Publications

02.2026

Moore & Van Allen is spotlighting a new article in Area Development authored by Beth Buckner, Head of Economic Developments & Incentives, and Beth Friedrich, Director of Public Affairs. Their piece, “What Companies Need from Modern Manufacturing Sites,” explores the key features companies prioritize today. 

The article highlights the leading factors shaping today’s highly competitive manufacturing site‑selection decisions, including: 

• Capital readiness: the importance of upfront funding, grants, and incentives to reduce early project risk.

• Infrastructure and permitting: the growing need for pre‑funded water, sewer, and utility capacity, along with predictable permitting processes.

• Power availability: how energy reliability and long‑term capacity—across traditional and alternative sources—have become gating factors for manufacturers.

• Workforce alignment: the critical role of skilled labor pipelines, apprenticeship programs, and community college partnerships.

• Tax and incentive strategy: why capital‑focused incentives, flexible performance structures, and competitive property and sales tax treatment shape total project economics.  

Read the full article here: https://www.areadevelopment.com/manufacturing-industrial/q1-2026/what-companies-need-from-modern-manufacturing-sites.shtml