DT #623 Proof, Not Potential: What Site Selectors Really Look For

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with “America’s factory whisperer,” Didi Caldwell, President & CEO of Global Location Strategies, for a candid and strategic conversation about the realities of site selection in today’s turbulent environment. Site Selectors Guild

With more than two decades guiding large manufacturing and heavy industrial projects, Didi shares insider insight into how companies actually make location decisions — and where communities often fall short.

From compressed project timelines to the reshoring debate, from data centers reshaping energy markets to the growing importance of investment-ready sites, this episode is a masterclass in modern economic development strategy.

If your community wants to compete — and win — this conversation is essential listening.

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What You’ll Learn

The New Reality of Site Selection

• The world of site selection is more volatile than ever.
• “Slow is fast — and fast is fraught with mistakes.”
• Companies often fail by not aligning internal stakeholders before launching a search.
• Falling in love with a location before the data supports it can derail projects.

Didi emphasizes a critical principle:

“We evaluate proof, not potential.”

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Incentives: Myths vs. Reality

• Incentives can enhance a strong location — but they cannot fix fatal flaws.
• Communities have a responsibility to evaluate ROI.
• The best incentive? A truly investment-ready site.
• Discipline in underwriting incentives protects long-term community prosperity.

“Communities have a responsibility too.”

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Data Centers & the Energy Disruption

Data centers are fundamentally reshaping:

• Energy markets
• Power pricing
• Infrastructure planning
• Community land use

As Didi notes:

“The power price just went up too high.”

Communities must proactively manage land planning and infrastructure capacity to avoid crowding out other investment opportunities.

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U.S Reshoring: Reality or Rhetoric?

Reshoring isn’t a full return of manufacturing — it’s a rebalancing.

• The U.S. holds competitive advantages in energy costs for capital-intensive industries.
• High interest rates and tariffs complicate investment decisions.
• Smaller projects are often easier to site than megaprojects.

The key? Understanding where your community truly competes.

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The Evolution of Virtual Site Visits

• Virtual tours are now a legitimate step in site selection.
• Communities must have accurate, organized, and accessible data.
• Speed matters — but speed without preparation increases risk.

“You need to have the right information.”

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Preparing Communities for Investment

Successful communities:

• Know their strengths and weaknesses.
• Maintain updated site data and infrastructure assessments.
• Align utilities, workforce, and leadership.
• Act as problem solvers — not just marketers.

“We have to demonstrate we can deliver.”

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Key Takeaways for Economic Developers

• Investment readiness beats incentive generosity.
• Discipline beats optimism every time.
• Long-term thinking outperforms short-term wins.
• Preparation reduces risk.
• Speed without diligence leads to costly mistakes.
• Communities must prove viability — not just promise it.

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About Didi

Didi Caldwell is President and CEO of Global Location Strategies, a world leader in site selection and incentive negotiation services and a two-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies list.

She is a member — and former chairperson — of the prestigious Site Selectors Guild and currently serves as Chair of the REDI Sites initiative. Didi holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Clemson University and an international MBA from the Darla Moore School of Business.

With expertise in large-scale manufacturing and heavy industrial projects, she has guided some of the world’s most complex location decisions.

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