As a member of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), you're no doubt well aware of the various resources available to you. But how familiar are you with the Site Selection Network? Did you realize that you could be putting this informative, efficient, and confidential site selection system to work for you now - even if your company's next relocation or expansion is two years out on the horizon?
There's no better time to plan for that growth than now, and you cannot go wrong with help from the Site Selection Network (SSN). For a little refresher, let's cover exactly what the SSN is and how it can work to your advantage.
Who we are
Our department has a full-time staff of four people who are entirely dedicated to researching site details for your company's project. Where do you begin and what exactly happens when you come to us for help?
First things first. On the SSN's Web site, (www.namssn.org), there is a link to SSN Forms. There you will find a Site Search Questionnaire. Your company fills this out and clues us in to your project parameters - your site requirements and specifications, facility operations, and what type of utilities you need. In addition, your interest in incentives and labor information is documented as well.
Our team takes your information and puts together a Request For Proposal, which is sent out to the states and communities in your desired areas. Those SSN economic development members then submit proposals to us.
In a nutshell, we do the legwork for your company. We do comprehensive research, collect community profiles from economic developers around the country, and ultimately present your firm with a customized, easy-to-use, easy-to-read report so that your company can compare the various buildings, sites, and community advantages across the board. We compile the information in a binder that is filled with all the site information you could possibly need.
The binder is prefaced with your Request For Proposal and our spreadsheet comparing
communities that fit your project parameters. The book is then
divided up into the states that submitted proposals and then by communities with their respective data. Everything from maps, labor stats, and utility information to details on incentives, construction costs, and transportation data.
The best part of the entire process is that all this data is free to you as a NAM member. This benefit could easily save your company $50,000 to $100,000 in site search assistance costs charged by a larger public or private agency.
How long does this take?
In some cases, we have completed site information in as little as eight days. On average,
the process takes four to six weeks, but it is important to note that the time frame can vary greatly from project to project, depending upon a host of criteria, including how many locations the company is considering and when the company needs to be operational.
So why take advantage of this benefit now - especially if your company is not looking to expand operations for another two years?
One word: preparation.
If you start looking for this information now, when the time does come to relocate or expand, you will have a firm grasp on the communities that would be a good fit for your operations. You will have already done your homework, and you will already know which cities are best suited for your needs.
Once you have the binder of information in hand, there are several ways you can proceed.
You can assess the information yourself, or with your site selection team, and make a location decision using the binder as a significant reference tool, or you can take the binder to a consultant who makes site decisions for a living.
If you think that the price tag associated with using a professional site search expert could prove too costly, think again: The SSN has affiliated members that offer consulting, brokerage, and financing services; data and voice communications solutions; training services; company profiles; and work force availability studies.
These site selection professionals offer deep discounts and special rates to NAM members who use their services.
The bottom line is that when you partner with the Site Selection Network, you've got assistance beside you every step of the way once you embark upon your project journey. Once we hand over your binder of customized information, we don't just cut you loose. We stay in contact with you every five to six weeks to monitor your progress and help in any way we can. That includes setting up site visits with various communities that you want to examine up close and personal.
Above all, NAM members who employ the assistance of the SSN can rest assured that confidentiality is a standard and nonnegotiable component throughout the entire process.
So what are you waiting for?
There's no better time than the present to plan for your company's successful future. Contact the SSN today at (800) 790-4010, or by e-mail at siteselection@nam.org.
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