Site Consultants Advisory Group

CONCEPT

The Site Consultants Advisory Group (SCAgroup) is a collaborative effort developed between a select group of leading site selection consultants and Area Development Magazine

The Site Consultants Advisory Group (SCAgroup) is a collaborative effort developed between a select group of leading site selection consultants and Area Development Magazine.

SCAgroup consists of a network of active site consultants whose current project assignments and corporate advisory services include a broad spectrum of industries and whose recent experience involves engagements with many leading corporations. Since 2019 SCAgroup's consulting members are responsible for more than 73 projects, 13,500+ jobs, and well over $2.3 billion in capex.

Launched in 2016 on the premise that demand exists within the economic development community to obtain focused, meaningful input from leading site selectors, SCAgroup has built a reputation for helping serious EDOs better understand and focus on key location factors and to deliver well organized response that can help keep their location in the hunt.

Through our well-coordinated and highly informative program agenda SCAgroup provides detailed insight and expertise to select EDOs who want to offer a strong value proposition when being considered for a new project.

Rather than traditional “Fam Tour” type agenda where the goals are typically vague, or short briefings during visits to site consultants’ office locations, this interaction is intensively scheduled, focused on meaningful dialog and provides on-site exposure to community resources and the individuals charged with marketing them.

SERVICES

The SCAgroup offers development agencies its professional feedback on:
  • Maximizing the impact of the locations existing and proposed marketing tactics on site consultants and their prospects.
  • Assessing the current business environment and recruitment strategies to attract desired and targeted industries.
  • Reviewing the quality and impact of specific responses to RFP opportunities.

 

The site visit of SCAgroup consultants will follow a specific agenda jointly developed with the location that provides meaningful exposure to:
  • Local resources
  • Selected facilities and management
  • Program representatives and select local leadership
  • Other regional assets which are typically involved in promoting the locations economic growth opportunities.

SOW OPTIONS

General Assessment of Region for Target Industries (Option A)

Objective of visit is to present region in best possible frame of reference for target industries. Host location and its stakeholders should be prepared to address questions posed from Consultants.

Client RFP Document and Client Performance Assessment (Option B)

Prior to visit, Consultants will work closely with client organization leader to confirm desired industry sector to evaluate and prepare detailed RFP document for issuance to client organization.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

DAY 1

DAY 2 8am - 4pm

Attendees can include representatives from:

  • key existing industry
  • transportation services & utility providers
  • partner EDOs (state, county, city, local EDCs)
  • key area stakeholders with relevance to ED efforts
Day 2

Review in detail:

  • available building & sites, inclusive of dialog with ownership
  • workforce training facilities and specialists
  • tax environment and incentive program availability
  • “Quality of Life” community assets deemed important
  • provide detailed labor analysis presentation as well including labor draw area, local wages for targeted industry sectors, key skill sets, etc.
  • provide relevant transportation/logistics and infrastructure overviews.
  • Other predetermined topics

Departure:

  • Depart for airport/travel home 4:00pm.

Networking:

  • Organize with host working / networking meals
  • Working Breakfast
  • Working Lunch with group sponsors
  • SCAgroup roundtable discussion

Day 2

FOLLOW UP ACTIONS

ADVISORY PROJECTS


2016

Jackson Regional Partnership TVA

Jackson Regional Partnership, TVA

SCAgroup provided a General Assessment SOW for this Tennessee 9 county region that included visits with local industries, workforce/tech programs and local ED stakeholders within the JRP. This visit was organized in cooperation with the TVA’s regional office.


Greenville Utilities Commission Greenville/Pitt County EDC

Greenville Utilities Commission, Greenville/Pitt County EDC

SCAgroup provided Greenville Utilities Commission in cooperation with Greenville/Pitt County EDC and other local ED stakeholders a RFP Performance Assessment SOW visit to help sharpen the area’s project response and information delivery capabilities to site consultants and prospects.


2017

Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce

In May 2017 SCAgroup provided the Columbus Chamber and its local ED stakeholders with a RFP Performance Assessment visit to better prepare the area’s ED team with improved response, information and communication capabilities to site consultants and prospects.



Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Corporation

SCAgroup provided Duke Energy Indiana and its Southeast Indiana local ED stakeholders with a Performance Assessment for Targeted Industries in March 2017. The visit looked at the two county region, its important port related facilities and the large MEGA Site development project.


Greater Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Greater Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Region

SCAgroup provided a June 2017 Assessment Visit to this metro region of 4 counties and the City of Edmonton. The team look at the existing local industrial base, infrastructure, workforce and workforce programs, recruitment efforts and how these strategic assets may help attract and broaden new investment and job creation within the region. This visit was organized in cooperation with the City of Fort Saskatchewan, AB.


2018

Greater Portland, Inc., Oregon

Greater Portland, Inc., Oregon

In November SCA Group conducted a three day site Advisory Visit to meet with GPI’s five member community partners to discuss the region’s value proposition and how to best project its advantages to the marketplace.



Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Louisiana

Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Louisiana

In September the SCA Group presented a two day program featuring a one day Workshop for nine (9) Parish economic development partners and a second day for its Business Development Committee lead stakeholders.

2019

Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership

Northeast Indiana Regional Parnership

In March 2019 SCAgroup provided the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and its local ED stakeholders with a Site Advisory Visit to help the area’s ED team with improved response, information and communication capabilities to site consultants and prospects.


Wabash Valley Power Alliance

Wabash Valley Power Alliance

In September the SCA Group will present in Indianapolis a two day Workshop program for WVPA multi state economic development partners and stakeholders.

2021

Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership

Northeast Indiana Regional Parnership

In September 2021 SCAgroup Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership has engaged SCAgroup for a Site Advisory Visit to help improve on communication capabilities that showcase its recent investment advances, talent / workforce availability and regions growing target market sector to site consultants and prospects.


Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Virginia (FRA)

Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Virginia (FRA)

In October 2021 the SCAgroup will conduct a two day Workshop program for FRA and its key stakeholders followed by a presentation to the FRA 100+ member Annual Meeting.

WORKSHOP PROGRAM

Jackson Regional Partnership, TVA

In cooperation with Area Development’s Consultants Forum Workshop series, the SCAgroup provides a full day onsite Workshop program conducted by four or more site consultant members. This intense interactive Workshop program is designed to meet the needs of both small audiences and larger audiences at the state, regional or local EDC level.

For more information and a sample of the program contact Dennis Shea.

 

 

WORKSHOP PROJECTS

2016

West Virginia Development Office

West Virginia Development Office

SCAgroup conducted a one day Workshop program to an audience of more than 100 West Virginia economic development partners from across the state in Charleston, West Virginia April 2016.
GALLERY »


Indiana Economic Development Association

Indiana Economic Development Association

SCAgroup presented its expanded Workshop program featuring 10 leading site selectors as part of IEDA’s August 2016 conference that was attended by 120 statewide economic development members.
GALLERY »


2017

Arizona Association of Economic Development

Arizona Association of Economic Development

The SCAgroup’s one day Workshop program was featured at the April 2017 AAED meeting in Lake Havasu, Arizona.




REDI Cincinnati

REDI Cincinnati

In August 2017 REDI Cincinnati provided its local ED stakeholders within its 15 county Kentucky-Ohio region with a SCAgroup Workshop program. The objective is to better prepare the area’s ED team with improved response, information and communication capabilities to site consultants and prospects.


Indiana Economic Development Association

Indiana Economic Development Association

SCAgroup presented its expanded Workshop program featuring 10 leading site selectors as part of IEDA’s August 2017 conference in French Lick Indiana.



Virginia Economic Developers Association

Virginia Economic Developers Association

SCAgroup presented its Site Selectors Workshop program to more than 250 ED practitioners and stakeholders at VEDA’s October 2017 fall conference in Virginia Beach, Va.

2018

Indiana Economic Development Association

Indiana Economic Development Association

SCAgroup presented its expanded Workshop program featuring 10 leading site selectors as part of IEDA’s August 2018 conference in Indianapolis.




RFP Academy/Workshop

RFP Academy/Workshop

In April SCA Group conducted its first RFP Workshop at Georgia Tech Conference Center. Limited to 25 attendees, the program focused on constructing and writing techniques for producing a thorough RFP response.

2021

Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)

Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)

SCAgroup presented in June a one day custom RFP Workshop program to the VEDP executive management and its team that assessed a set of multi RFPs for their effectiveness of structure, content completeness and detail from a consultant perspective.




Greater Richmond Partnership, Virginia

Greater Richmond Partnership , Virginia

In June GRP management, marketing team and partnership stakeholders participated in a two day review of the regions response strategies, digital content messaging and market positioning.


Wabash Valley Power Alliance

Wabash Valley Power Alliance

In September 2021 the SCAgroup will present to WVPA’s Illinois ED partners a “ tactics boot camp” Workshop program focusing on site selection and community preparedness and keys to working effectively with site consultant driven projects.




 

CONTACT

Matthew Shea
Area Development Magazine/SCAgroup
30 Jericho Executive Plaza, Suite 400 W, Jericho, NY 11753
Ph: 800 735 2732 x 231
mshea@areadevelopment.com