After outsourcing our industrial base for decades, it’s encouraging to see a resurgence of factories, innovations in automation, and support from the federal government. However, rebuilding our industrial base isn’t just about constructing more facilities — it’s about strengthening the ecosystem that supports a shift in how and where Americans work.
While economic development leaders often focus on landing the next big project, more should pause and think deeply about the broader environment they’re fostering — the types of projects they want to win, and whether their region has the right ingredients in place to support long-term success. Just because a project looks appealing doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for every community. At Savills, we work with our clients around the mantra of prioritizing “People, Power & Place.” As we validate and narrow locations using these principles, we help clients weigh both qualitative and quantitative factors to ensure successful market entry.
Over the past year and a half, we’ve been impressed by communities nationwide leaning into their strengths and amplifying the ecosystems they aim to foster. From quantum computing in Chicago to an aviation academy in Oklahoma, the battery belt in the Southeast, and space in Colorado, some regions are doubling down on the sectors that have historically driven their growth. Companies tend to cluster, recruit from each other, and benefit from shared supply chains and knowledge — making ecosystem strategy more important than ever.
Being reactive to opportunities is no longer enough — regions must proactively invest in the conditions that will make them competitive for decades to come.
But creating an ecosystem isn’t as simple as declaring that your community will now be defined by a sector. It takes alignment of physical infrastructure, incentives, talent development, and policy support. First, communities must understand the real estate they can offer and how it aligns with market demand. Next, they need to evaluate the labor pipeline: Are young people staying or leaving? Are universities and training programs aligned with future industry needs? Once the physical and labor landscape is understood, communities must conduct a deep analysis of their potential industry mix. Is your region an emerging life sciences hub like North Carolina’s Research Triangle, or well positioned for robotics like Pittsburgh?
Once the key ingredients are in place, it’s essential to develop a compelling story and brand identity. The audience isn’t just corporate decision-makers — it includes developers, investors, academic institutions, and mid-sized companies that can accelerate growth around the ecosystem. This requires coordination across industry, education, and government — what we at Savills call Ecosystem Advisory: a more holistic approach that goes beyond site selection to include labor alignment, incentives strategy, infrastructure readiness, and placemaking.
There is no one-size-fits-all model. Ecosystem formation requires hard work, coalition-building, and consistent execution. While Savills traditionally supports clients on site selection, we’re increasingly being brought in to help communities shape their broader ecosystem strategies. Because being reactive to opportunities is no longer enough — regions must proactively invest in the conditions that will make them competitive for decades to come.
