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State-by-State Guide to Manufacturing Tax Incentives
You can use state-by-state manufacturing tax incentives to cut startup and operating costs across your entire project. States offer combinations of job and investment tax credits, workforce training, property tax abatements, and specialized inventory or sales tax breaks. Some programs even provide refundable credits or grants that generate cash when your tax liability is low. When you understand which states reward jobs, capital, exports, or logistics most, you can open, reve

Gary Marx
Feb 276 min read


Nearshoring to Mexico: What US Manufacturers Need to Know About Site Selection
When you nearshore to Mexico, you should shift from chasing the lowest labor cost to balancing proximity to U.S. customers, skilled labor, logistics, and risk. Focus on regions with strong industrial ecosystems, reliable power, water, and transport, and pay close attention to security trends and commute routes. Compare northern border hubs, the Bajío, and Mexico City’s corridor on talent, incentives, and access to ports and border crossings so you can choose locations that su

Gary Marx
Feb 276 min read


How to Negotiate Better State and Local Incentives for Your Next Facility
Treat incentives as a structured negotiation, not a surprise rebate. Start by defining your project’s jobs, investment, timelines, and non-negotiables, then map what each state and locality can actually offer. Build a data-backed case that quantifies your economic impact, compare short-listed locations, and engage decision-makers early to shape performance-based packages. Negotiate terms, compliance, and clawbacks as a multi-layer deal so you protect value now and can capture

Gary Marx
Feb 274 min read


How to Navigate BABA Compliance for Federally Funded Projects
To navigate BABA compliance, you first confirm that your project’s federal funds were obligated after May 14, 2022 and that your scope counts as public infrastructure. Then you map all funding sources, materials, and bid packages to BABA rules, especially domestic content thresholds for iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials. Build a clear workflow for sourcing, documentation, and waivers so you avoid delays, cost surprises, and audit problems—and so y

Gary Marx
Feb 274 min read


How to Evaluate a State Incentive Package Before Committing to a Location
Treat a state incentive package like an investment. First, define your project’s jobs, wages, capex, and timeline so you know what you actually qualify for. Separate statutory “guaranteed if you comply” programs from negotiated or competitive ones. Quantify the real, after-tax NPV of each benefit and compare it to costs, compliance burdens, and clawback risk. Then stress-test incentives in your long-term model so you see how much they truly matter to your location choice. Ke

Gary Marx
Feb 274 min read


How to Compare Tax Abatement Programs: TIF vs PILOT vs Enterprise Zones
To compare TIF, PILOT, and Enterprise Zone abatements, start with how each reshapes your tax bill. TIF keeps your normal taxes but diverts the new “increment” to pay for project-related infrastructure. PILOT cuts about 75% of your property tax for a set period in exchange for predictable negotiated payments. Enterprise Zones target distressed areas with broader, temporary tax breaks to spur jobs and investment. Next, you’ll see which option best matches your project’s risks a

Gary Marx
Feb 274 min read


How PILOT Programs Can Reduce Property Taxes by Up to 80 Percent on New Developments
You can use Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs to legally replace standard property taxes with a negotiated, formula-based payment that often cuts the tax burden on new developments by as much as 80%. Instead of paying taxes on full assessed value, you typically pay a reduced, predictable fee tied to project costs or revenue. Cities offer these deals to attract investment, especially for affordable and workforce housing, and you’re about to see how the numbers work. Ke

Gary Marx
Feb 276 min read


Build-to-Suit vs Lease for Industrial Facilities: A Total Cost Comparison
You’re weighing a build-to-suit against leasing existing industrial space to control long-term occupancy costs, and the right choice comes down to how customization, capital, and risk line up with your 10–20 year operating plan. Build-to-suit gives you a purpose-built facility and long-term efficiency, but you accept higher rent, longer commitments, and less flexibility. Existing leases preserve cash and speed, but may compromise fit and efficiency. Understanding when each op

Gary Marx
Feb 265 min read


Avoiding Clawbacks: How to Stay Compliant With Incentive Agreements
You avoid painful clawbacks by knowing exactly what triggers them, aligning your deals to those rules, and never treating commissions as final until conditions are met. Focus on collected revenue, verified results, and sustained performance instead of short-term spikes. Make sure your clawback policy tracks SEC, Dodd-Frank, and state rules, and document approvals and metrics carefully. When you design incentives, monitor them, and communicate them this way, you dramatically c

Gary Marx
Feb 263 min read


A CFO's Guide to Maximizing ROI on Economic Development Incentives
You can turn scattered economic development incentives into a structured capital strategy that funds growth and protects margins. Start by inventorying every eligible credit, grant, and financing tool by state, site, and project timeline. Then rank them by impact, execution risk, and administrative burden. Model cash flows, vesting, and clawback scenarios so incentives lower your effective cost of capital . Finally, track realized savings against benchmarks and reinvest ga

Gary Marx
Feb 264 min read


Infrastructure Readiness Scorecard for Industrial Projects
The Infrastructure Readiness Scorecard helps assess industrial projects by evaluating 228 factors across 15 categories. It measures a project’s physical and systemic readiness for sustainability and execution, identifying gaps and priorities. Projects are classified as Construction Ready, Borderline, or Construction-Not-Ready. The scorecard supports stakeholder communication and guides efficient project execution. Key Takeaways The Infrastructure Readiness Scorecard evaluates

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read


Economic Development Consulting Services: What to Expect and How to Choose a Partner
Economic development consulting services help businesses leverage economic theory and data analytics for growth and resilience. You can expect market analysis, risk assessment, and actionable insights tailored to your needs. When choosing a partner, consider their industry experience, measurable outcomes, and how well they fit with your company culture. It is also important to assess their delivery approach and understand financial and legal implications. Key Takeaways Expect

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read


Business Retention and Expansion Strategy: 7 Metrics to Track Quarterly
To drive sustainable growth, you need to track seven vital metrics quarterly for customer retention and expansion. Focus on your Customer Retention Rate (CRR), seven-day activation, and Repeat Purchase Rate (RPR). Keep an eye on churn triggers and analyze your Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) to inform your strategies. Don't forget to track both monthly and annual revenue growth trends. By mastering these metrics, you'll enhance your business's resilience and find valuable insig

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read


Economic Impact Analysis Basics for City and County Leaders
Economic Impact Analysis (EIA) helps assess how projects affect a community’s economy. It measures direct impacts such as job creation, indirect effects from supply chains, and induced effects from employee spending. EIA provides data-driven insights on employment, tax revenue, and infrastructure needs. It supports funding applications and helps prioritize investments that benefit the community. Key Takeaways Economic Impact Analysis quantifies direct, indirect, and induced e

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read


RFP Template for Economic Development Consulting Services
When crafting an RFP template for economic development consulting services, start by defining clear objectives and measurable outcomes. Engage diverse stakeholders early to align goals and constraints. Clarify deliverables and set explicit evaluation criteria to ensure proposals address the core issues effectively. The RFP process should promote transparency and fairness, fostering trust among all parties involved. Key Takeaways Clearly define project goals, scope, and measur

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read


How to Build a Community Data Profile That Wins Projects
To build a community data profile that wins projects, clearly define community boundaries using geographic markers. Gather accurate demographic and health data from reliable sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau. Connect insights with local leaders to identify and address key community issues. Use GIS technology to visualize data and establish an ongoing data collection framework. These steps help showcase community strengths and needs to support successful project outcomes.

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read


Incentive Packaging Strategy for Project Recruitment (Without Overpaying)
An incentive packaging strategy for project recruitment helps attract talent while controlling costs. It starts with setting a competitive base salary using market data. On-Target Earnings (OTE) are aligned with measurable goals. Tiered commissions and accelerators reward high performance, while non-monetary perks increase overall appeal. Regular reviews and transparent communication keep compensation fair and effective. Key Takeaways Align incentives with project goals using

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read


Workforce Development as an Economic Development Lever
Workforce development is a powerful lever for economic growth. By addressing specific skills gaps, it ensures a steady supply of skilled workers who enhance productivity and reduce turnover. Public-private partnerships shape training programs to meet real job demands, while expanded access helps underrepresented groups succeed. Strategies like apprenticeships broaden opportunities for all. Key Takeaways Workforce development addresses specific skills gaps, enhancing productiv

Gary Marx
Jan 282 min read


Economic Development Definition vs Economic Growth: Clear Differences for Decision Makers
Economic growth focuses on quantitative increases in production, measured by GDP and related metrics. It is about financial output, but it does not always improve living standards. In contrast, economic development emphasizes long-term quality-of-life improvements, using indicators such as HDI, literacy, and health. While growth provides resources for development, effective governance and policies are required to ensure progress. Key Takeaways Economic growth measures increas

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read


Types of Economic Development Programs and When Each Works Best
There are several types of economic development programs, each suited to specific needs. Infrastructure investments are effective for boosting productivity and logistics. Workforce training aligns skills with job market demand. Small business support builds resilient local economies. Health and social services improve well-being and access. Each program should be matched to local conditions for best results. Key Takeaways Incentives: Effective when targeting specific industri

Gary Marx
Jan 283 min read
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