Now Is the Time to Locate in Long Beach

The term “Site Selector” may not be well-known to those outside of relocation and commercial real estate services but site selectors play a key role in understanding the best geographic destination for a business to locate and can provide critical information when companies are faced with making such an important decision.

Equal parts mediator, guide, and all-around confidant to busy senior managers who are unfamiliar with the important and often granular details of site location or relocation, the role of the site selector gives access to better information, technological advances, and a global network of human and financial capital.  

Site selection is the process of choosing a location for a business based on a list of determinative  needs with the objective to find the best site, meeting as many criteria as possible. Site Selectors may compile a list of land options or look at available buildings, confirming zoning and other requirements that meet the necessary demands for the specific type of business.

Importantly, site selectors can coordinate with city officials and related partners,such as economic development corporations, to provide insights such as if  the city has noise restrictions or certain conservation laws in place to protect the land, all of which are necessary information prior to a location or relocation site selection.

There are many questions to respond to when making these decisions including; Is there quality infrastructure for desired transportation methods? Is it easily accessible from a facility location? Are there competitors nearby that will be competing for similar labor? Beyond affordability, there are other factors such as  local infrastructure, available labor, accessibility for shipping carriers, and distance from established and potential customers.

The Long Beach Economic Partnership is pleased to host the upcoming inaugural All Ready Here Site Selectors Conference to be held in Long Beach on April 17th-19th on behalf of The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department, the Office of Mayor Rex Richardson, and the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

• What is the ideal location for the building?

• What are the needed current and future size requirements for the building?

• What is the availability and recognized skills of labor in the area?

• What are the transportation links in the area?

• What type of incentives are there for building, expanding or remodeling a facility?

All Ready Here is both a location promotional and educational opportunity. Site Selectors will visit and tour Long Beach to see and experience the workforce capabilities, infrastructure available for development and existing properties and community assets and amenities and overall business climate for a particular target industry or industries. Based on this inspection, as well as deep project and community knowledge, the Site Selectors provide valuable feedback and recommendations as to how Long Beach can become more competitive and effective in its business attraction and economic development efforts.