The State of Site Selection 2026

Winning Through Certainty 

Corporate location activity remains active, but the rules of competition are changing. 

The fifth edition of The State of Site Selection, produced by Development Counsellors International and the Site Selectors Guild, examines the forces reshaping corporate investment decisions in 2026. Based on research conducted with the world’s leading site selection consultants, the report offers an inside look at the trends, challenges and opportunities influencing location strategy across the globe.  

This year, one theme emerged above all others: the challenge is no longer a scarcity of resources, but a scarcity of certainty. Companies can no longer afford delays caused by infrastructure constraints, permitting hurdles, workforce shortages, community opposition or policy uncertainty. As a result, communities that can reduce risk and demonstrate readiness are gaining a competitive advantage.  

Whether you are an economic developer, utility provider, policymaker or corporate executive, this report delivers actionable insights to help you compete for investment in an increasingly complex environment.  

What You’ll Learn 

Drawing on surveys, interviews and expert discussions with Site Selectors Guild members, this year’s report explores the trends shaping location decisions around the world.  

Inside the report, you’ll discover: 

• Why electric power availability has become the single most important factor impacting location decisions.  
• How infrastructure constraints are changing the way companies evaluate sites and communities.  
• Why workforce remains a critical location factor and how talent needs are evolving toward highly specialized technical skills.  
• How community acceptance and public perception are influencing projects earlier than ever before.  
• The realities behind foreign direct investment activity and what communities can do to remain competitive globally.  
• What site selectors value most in economic development partners and how communities can build trust throughout the project lifecycle. 

Download The State of Site Selection 2026 to learn how the world’s leading site selection consultants view the current investment landscape and what it takes to succeed in an era defined by uncertainty, infrastructure challenges and increasing competition. 

About the Research 

The State of Site Selection 2026 is based on primary research conducted among the 72-member Site Selectors Guild, including surveys, interviews and structured discussions with consultants specializing in industrial and office location strategy, domestically and internationally. The findings reflect real-world project activity and provide unique insights into what companies are looking for when making location decisions today.