When choosing a job, many employees consider the quality of life in the region the job is located. For companies, this can be a major factor in site selection.

In both cases, the factors that make up quality of life (e.g., recreation, local schools, safety, climate) do not always correlate with the resources and interests a big city holds. For many site selectors, this means seeking the best of both worlds, a big thriving city with great nearby resources for employees to find comfort in...

WHY MIDLOTHIAN?

Few things can tell a community’s story better than its business residents’ insights. This is why we created the “Why Midlothian?” series. 

In this series, Midlothian companies share their experiences, observations and impressions about why Midlothian has proven a great fit for their business needs. We hope their stories will inspire you to consider how you can make something great with us in Midlothian.

It’s no secret that a skilled workforce is key to a company’s success.

In early 2013, bulk solvent and chemical products distributor Buckley Oil Company began searching for a new home. One of America’s oldest petrochemical companies, Buckley Oil wanted to relocate its then-Dallas-based headquarters and distribution operations to accommodate the company’s path of growth and modernization plans.

Corporate site selection is a complex undertaking – even for those well acquainted with the task.

From the initial decision to expand or relocate to the proverbial ribbon-cutting ceremony, there are countless decisions for a company to make – and no two projects are ever alike. There are real estate searches, market analyses, labor studies, construction costs and quality of life considerations – not to mention securing connections with the appropriate local, regional and state officials.

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Larry Barnett, President and Chief Executive of Midlothian Economic Development, has been named to Consultant Connect’s 2017 North America's Top 50 Economic Developers list. He was one of just seven economic developers from Texas to appear on the list.

What do Amazon, Apple and Toyota all have in common?

When it comes to choosing a site for your business relocation, site selectors fall back on the same things: local community, labor availability, and local business climate. These tried-and-true factors are selectors' top choices for a reason. But with the mass migration of business from more populated East and West Coast urban areas to locations along the South and Midwest, companies are often competing for space that suits their needs.  

Take a look at the list of factors site selectors consider when choosing a location. Odds are, they're not too different. Labor availability, workforce costs, energy reliability, highway access typically rank high on their list of factors for site selection. However, there is one additional factor that should never be overlooked: quality of life.

Often ushered to the back burner, quality of life may not be a well-known driving factor in the site selection process, but it frequently boasts...

As 2016 just came to a close, we anticipate the year ahead in terms of site selection and industry trends. By evaluating the successes of 2016 and the expectations for 2017, we break down potential trends to keep an eye out for.