10-Step Process
From discovery to delivery
Every engagement follows a proven, end-to-end framework — ten phases that take you from first conversation to fully compliant operation.
Scroll to follow the journey.
01
DISCOVERY
Kickoff + Business Story
Discovery & Goal Alignment
- Intro meeting to understand the company story, goals, constraints, and timeline
- Clarify what "success" means — cost, speed, talent, customers, risk, growth
- Gather key operating assumptions: CapEx, jobs, shifts, launch timing, equipment, utilities
02
BASELINE
Baseline the Real World
Current State & Competitive Landscape
- Review existing locations and performance drivers
- Analyze competitors and market positioning
- Identify what's working today — and what must change to win tomorrow
- Define the "must-haves" vs "nice-to-haves"
03
TRANSLATE
Convert the Business into Requirements
Operating Model Translation
- Translate staffing into SOC codes, headcount plans, and wage targets
- Define critical skill clusters and hiring risks
- Map operational needs: transportation, logistics, suppliers, customers, utilities, real estate, permitting, climate/risk
- Convert all of it into measurable criteria
04
FRAMEWORK
Build the Decision Engine
Criteria Framework & Scoring Model
- Create a structured evaluation model — go/no-go + weighted scoring
- Assign weights based on what matters most: labor, cost, speed, risk, incentives
- Ensure the logic is defendable for executives, investors, and stakeholders
05
SCAN
Find the Best-Fit Regions & Cities
National Market Scan
- Run a broad U.S. search using data + modeling across markets
- Identify where the requirements can actually be met — talent + cost + operations
- Produce heat maps and ranked markets showing best-fit clusters
- Reduce "the whole country" into a manageable list
06
SHORTLIST
Select the Top Candidate Cities
Shortlist Recommendation
- Recommend a short list of cities/regions based on the model
- Highlight tradeoffs and risks — not just a score
- Validate assumptions with real-world context: availability, momentum, competition
07
INCENTIVES
Add Incentives on Top
Incentive Strategy & Ranking
- Estimate incentives for each finalist market based on deal parameters
- Use historical incentive benchmarks to set realistic ranges and expectations
- Rank cities by total value + probability + speed + complexity
- Package an incentives strategy aligned to the business plan
08
IMPACT
Prove the Value to the Community
Economic Impact Modeling
- Build economic impact model using job counts + wages + spending assumptions
- Quantify ripple effects: indirect + induced jobs, payroll, output, tax base impacts
- Create an easy-to-explain story for policy teams and the public
- Support justification for tax incentives and public participation
09
NEGOTIATE
Negotiate + Secure the Package
Incentives Negotiation & Deal Closing
- Engage economic development groups and policymakers
- Negotiate terms using benchmarks + impact story + competitive leverage
- Optimize structure: grants, tax abatements, credits, training funds, infrastructure support
- Secure approvals and document the deal
10
DELIVER
Deliver + Stay Compliant
Implementation & Compliance
- Track milestones and reporting requirements
- Ensure hiring, wage, CapEx, and timeline commitments are met
- Support compliance filings, audits, and ongoing incentive administration
- Protect the incentives and reduce clawback risk
Ready to start the process?
Every great location decision starts with a conversation. Let's talk about what you're trying to solve.