Strategic Development Group Certifies Sites for Development in West Tennessee

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC. Joins the West Tennessee Industrial Association to Announce New Certified Industrial Sites in West Tennessee

COLUMBIA, SC – March 9, 2009 – Strategic Development Group, Inc., a professional site selection company, joined the West Tennessee Industrial Association (WTIA), regional electric distributors, and other county leaders today in Jackson, Tennessee to announce seven new certified Deal Ready^TM sites in West Tennessee.  The firm conducted the certification process for these sites and expects to certify additional sites during the next six months.

Strategic Development Group, located in Columbia, SC, was selected by WTIA to conduct a rigorous evaluation of industrial sites to verify readiness for industrial site development under WTIA’s Deal Ready^TM site certification program.  This phase of site certification focused on sites less than 100 acres in size, verified the presence of utilities, sound environmental conditions and land ownership, all elements conducive to rapid development.  Sites of 100 acres or less are most frequently sought after by site consultants and corporate clients due to their flexibility.

Strategic Development Group has been extremely successful in site location work throughout the Southeast, especially in Tennessee and other automotive supplier locations.  With more than a decade of experience, the firm was chosen by WTIA to conduct the Deal Ready^TM evaluations because of their familiarity with the region and in-depth knowledge regarding the site location and site certification process.

This process has been a great way for our communities to enhance their chances of success in attracting investment, says Mike Philpot, Executive Director of the West Tennessee Industrial Association.  Preparation, risk avoidance, and accurate information are the primary items that companies and site location consultants require.  Deal Ready^TM enables communities to accomplish these objectives. 

The advantage of using a firm like Strategic Development Group, Inc. is that they bring a ‘real world’ perspective to the certification process, continues Philpot.  Their extensive expertise in locating companies will help our communities better understand the competitive nature of industrial site selection.

WTIA is on the leading edge of site certification in the Southeast, says Mark Williams, President of Strategic Development Group.  The current focus on certifying sites less than 100 acres will make the region even more successful in its business recruitment efforts.  WTIA recognized that sites of 100 acres or less provide the perfect site for a variety of industrial users – all of them interested in one thing – reducing time and increasing profitability. 

WTIA has created a special web-based resource for the Deal Ready^TM Certified Sites at http://www.dealready.com/.  The site allows fast access to sites that are prepared for rapid development.

About Strategic Development Group

Strategic Development Group, located in Columbia, SC, offers expert site location, and provides a variety of economic development services such as strategic planning, site certification, and targeted marketing services.  Recently, Strategic Development Group President Mark Williams was named a Top 10 Site Consultant by Southern Business & Development magazine.  The company’s website is http://www.strategicdev.com/