Blog

Insights & Updates

News, thought leadership, and updates from the Vista Site Selection team.

April 16, 2026 2 min read

Vista Discusses State Government Site Selection Programs at Economic Development Incentives Conference

Vista Site Selection co-sponsored the 2026 Vorys Economic Development Incentives Conference and led several sessions, including “Exploring State Site Programs and Their Impact on Economic Development,” a panel where Vista’s managing director & head of incentives compliance, Julie Miller, chatted with representatives from Ohio and Pennsylvania about the state-sponsored site selection programs they represent.

March 24, 2026 2 min read

Vista Discusses Commercial Real Estate Trends at Economic Development Incentives Conference

Vista Site Selection co-sponsored the 2026 Vorys Economic Development Incentives Conference in Columbus, Ohio on February 28. Today’s entry focuses on “Commercial Real Estate Trends in 2026,” a panel where, Vista’s senior managing director, Matt Samler, chatted with experts on where they see the industry commercial development headed.

March 11, 2026 2 min read

Vista Discusses Defense and Aerospace with BAE Systems at Economic Development Incentives Conference

Vista Site Selection co-sponsored the 2026 Vorys Economic Development Incentives Conference in Columbus, Ohio on February 28. This is the first in a series of posts highlighting panels and presentations.

February 5, 2026 2 min read

The System by Vista Tool Offers Free, Data-Driven Site Selection Mapping Experience

Vista Site Selection is pleased to introduce The System by Vista, an interactive playground that brings our depth of site selection data and analytics to the masses.

January 5, 2026 1 min read

Meet Taylor Blanks, Vista's Program Support Manager

Vista Site Selection is pleased to introduce Taylor Blanks, our new program support manager, bringing strong project management experience from the defense and aerospace industries.

October 29, 2025 2 min read

Vista Site Selection Touches Down at AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference

Vista Site Selection was proud to showcase our new Weighted Site Matrix Tool at the 2025 edition of the AFA's Air, Space & Cyber Conference.

August 27, 2025 2 min read

Jeff Troan Authors Maritime Prosperity Zone Shipbuilding Incentives Feature for 'Area Development'

Jeff Troan, a senior managing director for Vista Site Selection, recently authored an article for the 2025 Quarter 3 issue of Area Development magazine on maritime prosperity zone shipbuilding incentives.

August 1, 2025 2 min read

Meet Andrea Dishler, Vista's Senior Vice President of Project Management

Vista Site Selection is happy to introduce Andrea Dishler, our new senior vice president of project management, bringing deep expertise from the aerospace and defense industries.

July 9, 2025 2 min read

Chris Magill Quoted in Feature on Ohio Economic Development Incentives

Chris Magill, a managing director for Vista Site Selection, was quoted several times in a recent Columbus Business First article on how Ohio uses economic development incentives to accelerate local economies.

May 19, 2025 2 min read

Meet James Maples, Ph.D., Vista's Lead Economist

Vista Site Selection is pleased to introduce James Maples, Ph.D, our new lead economist, bringing expertise in economic impact studies and IMPLAN modeling.

April 23, 2025 2 min read

Meet Janie Hanna, Vista's Vice President of Program Management

Vista Site Selection is pleased to introduce Janie Hanna, our new vice president of program management, bringing over a decade of economic development experience.

March 31, 2025 4 min read

4 Reasons Why Sundance Moved to Boulder...and What Your Project Site Selection Can Learn From It

The Sundance Film Festival announced it would move to Boulder, CO after 40 years in Park City. Here are four site selection factors behind the decision — and what your project can learn from it.

February 28, 2025 4 min read

Vista Team Discusses AI, Analytics and Manufacturing at Economic Development Incentives Conference

Vista Site Selection co-sponsored the 10th annual Vorys Economic Development Incentives Conference, participating in panels on AI, data analytics and manufacturing trends in site selection.

February 7, 2025 2 min read

Seven Vista-Supported Ohio Projects Receive Transformational Mixed-Use Developments Tax Credits in 2024

Vista Site Selection assisted seven projects that earned benefits as part of Ohio's TMUD program, collecting $58 million in awards — 58% of the funds distributed during 2024.

January 9, 2025 3 min read

Vista Pushed Data, Analytics and Site Selection Forward During 2024

A look back at what Vista accomplished during 2024 — innovative data analytics tools, talented new hires, and continued leadership in site selection.

December 4, 2024 3 min read

Nuclear Power, Data Center Development, Analytics and Site Selection

New developments in artificial intelligence and nuclear power are making the futures of both industries increasingly intertwined — and Vista has the tools for both.

November 11, 2024 2 min read

Vista View Mapping Tool Offers Customizable, Self-Service GIS Mapping Experience

Vista Site Selection brings an enormous trove of site selection data and analytics to users' fingertips with the Vista View mapping tool — an intuitive GIS experience for just $500 per month.

October 21, 2024 2 min read

Vista's New Data Center Site Selection Tool Is Boost for Server Hub Development

Vista Site Selection has added the Data Center Site Selection Tool to its collection, providing key insights into regional infrastructure tied to data center development projects.

October 1, 2024 2 min read

Meet Julie Miller, Managing Director and Head of Vista Site Selection's Incentives Compliance Practice

Vista Site Selection is pleased to introduce Julie Miller, our new managing director and head of the incentives compliance practice, bringing 20 years of site selection experience.

September 12, 2024 2 min read

Managing Director Chris Magill Honored with BizTech Award for Site Selection Technology

Vista Site Selection Managing Director Chris Magill was presented a Columbus Business First BizTech Award for pushing the Central Ohio economy forward through advanced data analytics.

August 27, 2024 3 min read

Residential Development, Site Selection Software and 'Sex and The City'

The Economist's 'Carrie Bradshaw Index' tracks affordability for single occupants — and the data shows American cities are getting more affordable for solo living. Here's what it means for developers.

August 7, 2024 3 min read

Olympic City Site Selection: The Social Infrastructure Los Angeles Needs for 2028

The IOC isn't hiring Vista for Olympic city site selection — but the most important component of modern Olympic site selection is something we know well: transportation infrastructure.

July 24, 2024 2 min read

Why Texas Commands Site Selection Magazine's "Best Counties in America" List

Site Selection Magazine's list of America's Best Counties for economic development shows Texas hosting four of the top 10 counties. Here's why the Lone Star State dominates.

July 8, 2024 2 min read

Population Demographic Projections and Residential Development Site Selection

Vista compiles vast amounts of site selection data to help clients select optimal sites. Here's a thought experiment using population projections for residential development.

June 25, 2024 2 min read

Government Incentives and Site Selection with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs

One of sports' biggest stories — the potential move of the Chiefs and Royals — is a masterclass in how site selection incentives make major economic ventures come together.

June 17, 2024 2 min read

Software, Population Analytics, and Personnel Needs for Aerospace Project Planning...Planes Need Pilots!

Data analytics software is essential for making informed site selection decisions in defense and aerospace. Here's how population analytics reveal workforce trends — using airline pilots as a case study.

June 4, 2024 2 min read

Using Site Selection Data Analysis Software to Provide Fiber Optic Internet Access

A case study using Vista's proprietary model to identify the best location in Michigan to lay fiber optic cable — combining audience demand, cost efficiency, and demographic targeting.

May 17, 2024 1 min read

Get an Analysis of an Area's Demographic Landscape

Vista releases the Area Overview Report tool — comprehensive demographic landscape analysis to assist economic development organizations and businesses in site selection decisions.

May 10, 2024 1 min read

Where Should CAVA Go to Next?

Some of us at Vista really love to eat at Cava. So we used our data and analytics to run a site selection model and determine potential new locations for Cava restaurants in Texas.

April 30, 2024 1 min read

Understanding the Importance of Labor Supply for DoD Projects

One key factor for Department of Defense projects is labor supply. Here's why it matters and how Vista's site selection analytics professionals can assist.

March 21, 2024 1 min read

Vista to Host Advanced Analytics, AI and the Federal Proposal Process Course at Space Florida

Vista announces a 1.5-day interactive course at Space Florida focused on incorporating advanced workforce analytics, site selection and business incentives into federal government proposals.

February 27, 2024 1 min read

9th Annual Economic Development Incentives Conference a Success

Vista Site Selection co-presented the 9th Annual Vorys Economic Development Incentives Conference, welcoming over 350 attendees from around the U.S.

January 30, 2024 1 min read

Vista Site Selection Helps Ohio Clients Secure TMUD Credits

Vista Site Selection assisted clients in winning 57% ($57 million) of the TMUD dollars awarded in the program's third round, including the two highest-scored applications.

October 26, 2023 1 min read

Troan Interviewed on The Business Facilities Podcast

Jeff Troan, a managing director of Vista Site Selection, was interviewed on The Business Facilities Podcast discussing the value of data analytics for aerospace and defense site selection.

August 10, 2023 1 min read

Planning for Future Residential Growth

Learn how residential developers can use a dashboard developed by Vista to find ideal areas for potential development.

July 17, 2023 1 min read

Magill Quoted in Story on Ohio's Brownfield Remediation and Building Demo Grant Programs

Chris Magill was quoted in a Columbus Business First story on the continuation of Ohio's brownfield remediation and building demolition programs with half a billion dollars set aside.

June 15, 2023 1 min read

Choosing the Most Optimal Site: On-Demand Webinar

Vista's Matt Samler and Chris Magill co-presented a webinar on site selection best practices as part of the Vorys Grow in Ohio 12-part webinar series.

March 31, 2023 1 min read

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing

We dive into the data and see what type of labor supply is most crucial when choosing where to open an aerospace product and parts manufacturing facility.

March 31, 2023 1 min read

Battery Manufacturing Labor Supply Site Selection Criteria

We explore the data to determine what type of labor supply is most crucial when choosing where to open a battery manufacturing site.

March 31, 2023 1 min read

The Best Area to Deliver Within A One-Day Drive Time

Vista's Evan Stair provides a short analysis of the best location to deliver to the most people within a one-day drive time.

March 31, 2023 1 min read

Retail Growth Intelligence Helps Retailers Make Informed Decisions

Vista uses data and analytics coupled with strategic analysis to help retailers prepare for strategic growth and make informed decisions about store locations.

March 31, 2023 1 min read

Where to Find Customer Service Representatives

Vista's Evan Stair provides a quick analysis of how data sources can identify areas in the United States with the most customer service representatives at an affordable hourly wage.