How to Find the Perfect Site for Your Business in North Carolina

For companies planning a new manufacturing facility or considering a business expansion, finding the right site is often the most difficult part of the process.  

A location may look attractive on paper, but if utilities aren’t available or significant infrastructure improvements are needed, a project timeline can quickly stretch from months to years. That’s why site selection has evolved into a much more nuanced process than just finding available land. 

North Carolina has emerged as one of the nation’s leading destinations for business growth because of its combination of workforce, infrastructure, and quality of life. The state has ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in CNBC’s annual Top States for Business for six straight years. North Carolina has made a deliberate effort to prepare industrial sites before prospects arrive. Through programs like the Megasite Readiness Program and Selectsite Readiness Program, communities across North Carolina are making it easier for companies to get projects off the ground. 

Whether you’re working with a site selection consultant or identifying your business location strategy on your own, here’s what to consider during the site selection process. 

A Step by Step Guide to Site Selection

Step 1: Define Your Business Site Selection Requirements

Every successful business site selection begins with a simple question: What does your company need to operate and grow? 

For some manufacturers, workforce availability may be the deciding factor. For others, access to interstate highways, rail service, ports, or reliable utility infrastructure could be more important. A company producing advanced technologies may prioritize proximity to research institutions, while a distribution operation may focus almost entirely on logistics. 

The most successful projects begin with a clear understanding of operational requirements and future growth plans. Companies that know exactly what they’re looking for can evaluate industrial properties more efficiently when the right opportunity emerges. 

Step 2: Evaluate Certified Industrial Sites and Megasites

When a business announces plans for a new facility, executives and investors typically want construction to begin as soon as possible. The longer a company spends addressing infrastructure needs, the more expensive a project becomes.

That’s why site readiness has become such an important factor in modern site selection.

Local communities demonstrate site readiness through certified sites. A certified site is an industrial property that has completed a comprehensive pre-development evaluation confirming it is ready for development. Through the certification process, potential buyers and developers gain access to verified information about the site’s availability, pricing, utility infrastructure, transportation access, environmental status, and estimated development costs.

This upfront due diligence reduces project risk and helps accelerate project timelines by eliminating many of the uncertainties typically associated with site selection. Companies exploring North Carolina as a business location can also access EDPNC’s database of available industrial sites and certified properties.

In North Carolina, local communities can also access funding through the Megasite Readiness Program and Selectsite Readiness Program to perform due diligence and infrastructure improvements before a prospect is identified.

The state’s Megasite Readiness Program focuses on large industrial properties, generally more than 1,000 acres, that can accommodate transformational projects. The Selectsite Readiness Program supports smaller industrial sites that are capable of attracting advanced manufacturing and other major employers.

For businesses evaluating location options, that preparation translates into greater certainty and shorter development timelines.

Step 3: Compare Regions and Workforce Advantages

Selecting a business location means choosing more than a parcel of land, it’s choosing a community that can support long-term success. Site selection is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but no matter the company, and no matter the industry, an able workforce is a vital ingredient for success.

North Carolina consistently ranks at the top of the nation for both the skill and breadth of its workforce. The state was named No. 1 in the country for Workforce Development by Site Selection Magazine in 2026, and came in at No. 3 in workforce by CNBC in its annual Best States for Business rankings.

North Carolina is home to several world class talent engines. The state is home to the University of North Carolina System and its 16 institutions, 35 private college and universities, and 58 community college campuses. No matter where you are in North Carolina, you are not longer than a 30-minute drive from a community college.

Altogether, there are over 900,000 students enrolled in a North Carolina institution of secondary education.

And apart from universities and colleges, North Carolina is also home to several military bases, most notably Fort Bragg, the largest military base in the world. An average of 20,000 service members exit from a North Carolina base every year, and thousands of them stay in North Carolina to transition into the civilian workforce.

And for some companies, incentives play a bigger role in the selection process. For others, workforce is the primary objective.

This is one reason North Carolina continues to attract companies across industries. No matter the attribute – workforce availability, infrastructure, cost of living, education opportunities, quality of life – North Carolina ranks high.

Step 4: Establish a Shortlist and Visit Potential Sites

Eventually, every site search moves from spreadsheets to site visits.

This is often where the strongest candidates begin to separate themselves.

A site tour allows project teams to evaluate factors that aren’t always obvious in reports or databases. How accessible is the property? Are utility connections readily available? Does the community understand the company’s needs? Is there surrounding development that could create challenges down the road?

These conversations reveal opportunities and challenges that would otherwise remain hidden until much later in the process.

Step 5: Compare Infrastructure, Utilities, and Business Incentives

Infrastructure can make or break a project timeline.

Even a well-located property may require significant investment before construction can begin. Companies should understand the availability of water, wastewater, electricity, natural gas, broadband, and transportation connections before making a final decision.

Business incentives are another important consideration. While they are rarely the primary driver of a location decision, they can improve project economics and help offset upfront costs. In North Carolina, several different incentive vehicles offer companies – big or small – different options that help them derisk their capital investments.

The Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), for example, is a performance-based, discretionary incentive program that provides cash grants directly to new and expanding companies to help offset the cost of locating or expanding a facility in the state. The amount of the grant is based on a percentage of the personal income tax withholdings associated with the new jobs.

Other programs, like the Rural Building Reuse Program, aid companies looking to make investments in the state’s rural communities.

View all Incentives

Step 6: Analyze Long-Term Costs and Project Risks

Cost always matters, but sophisticated site selection has become more nuanced than comparing land prices.

Companies increasingly evaluate total project costs over the life of an investment. Utility expenses, labor availability, transportation costs, taxes, and construction timelines can have a much greater impact on profitability than the purchase price of a site.

Risk assessment is equally important. Potential environmental issues, permitting requirements, infrastructure limitations, and development timelines should all be considered before a final decision is made.

Step 7: Partner with EDPNC Throughout the Site Selection Process

Finding industrial sites requires coordination among local governments, utility providers, economic developers, and private-sector partners. The process can be complex, particularly for companies unfamiliar with the region.

The EDPNC serves as a single point of contact for businesses exploring North Carolina locations. Our team works closely with local, regional, and state partners to connect companies with available sites, relevant data, and the information needed to make informed decisions.

Whether you’re searching for a shovel-ready site, evaluating a megasite, or beginning a nationwide location search, EDPNC can help identify opportunities that align with your project’s goals.

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