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Driving Growth Forward

Economic Development

SSI Program Phases

Progressing only the highest quality sites toward market-ready status

Through the Strategic Sites Inventory Program, LDG identifies the highest quality raw land sites and conducts rigorous engineering and environmental screening to advance only the most competitive sites to market. Each of the five SSI Program phases is informed by proven site selection and economic development competitiveness standards and best practices.

Discover

Site Discovery
Site Discovery identifies never before found sites and affirms only the highest quality properties on the market. Whereas conventional site certification programs of various incarnations across the country evaluate properties that are already on the market regardless of suitability, SSI Site Discovery constitutes a mining exercise in which previously unknown sites of exceptional quality for industrial and commercial projects are discovered.
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Phase I

Evaluate

Preliminary Due Diligence
Site Evaluation is designed to expose any potential “fatal flaws” that would compromise site competitiveness. Phase II entails a desktop engineering and environmental site review to confirm initial site development potential from Phase I discovery. This includes a qualitative review of physical site characteristics, ecological conditions, transportation and utility connectivity, and surrounding land use compatibility along with rough-order-of-magnitude costs for site improvements and environmental permitting burden including potential wetlands mitigation.
Phase II

Engage

Advancement to Market
Site Advancement constitutes pursuit of a real estate purchase option at a fair market value price. SSI Phase III commences upon a site achieving a favorable development opinion from Phase II and is a necessary step in graduating a site to the open real estate market in a development-ready capacity by stimulating landowner interest through education, outreach, and relationship building.
Phase III

Survey

Formal Due Diligence
Site Due Diligence takes site investigation from an engineering and environmental review exercise to a full “boots on the ground”, quantitative physical site survey and documentation. Phase IV is administered judiciously with only select sites qualifying as candidates for formal due diligence. Sites that merit this level of investigation typically are suited for large-scale capital investments, which require quantification of site development advantages and risks.
Phase IV

Advertise

Branding and Marketing
Site Marketing is necessary to activate the SSI Program investment by creating a comprehensive informational package to globally promote the location value to target industries. Phase V should be activated immediately prior to the successful completion of Phase III and graduation of a site to market, where resources include compelling visual documentation of the subject site along with quantifiable development advantages of both the site and the host community.
Phase V

Discover Your Ideal Location

Unlock the potential of your project with our expert site selection and development services.

Find Your Site

Site Determining Factors

The feasibility of a site for use as an economic development asset is contingent upon a variety of factors. LDG examines each of these factors and more, taking the guesswork and politicization out of the arena and utilizing a strategic process proven to select objectively competitive sites that better the community.

Surrounding land use compatibility
Transportation access
Elevation
Wetlands
Proximity to cultural features
Utility infrastructure
Workforce availability
Flood risk
Conservation areas
Public opinion

Core Suitability Modeling

Core Suitability Modeling (CSM) is a land use and logistics-driven GIS analysis tool enabling the site search efficiency unique to the SSI Program. A suite of eight core models provide the versatility to analyze location suitability for a diverse set of industry sectors. Each core model is defined by a project land use and includes up to four transportation scenarios. This allows strategic site searches to be customized for each community to align with transportation assets and viable target industries. Objective and a-political, Core Suitability Modeling defines site quality through a complex set of industrial and commercial location competitiveness factors.

CSMs suggest optimal locations for facility permitting, construction, and operation while protecting sensitive environmental, ecological, and cultural resources. Informed by 20+ years of industrial site selection experience, industry sector models are built on multi-disciplined engineering and environmental regulatory compliance expertise. The highly technical and data-driven nature of SSI Core Suitability Modeling results in a high site due diligence survival rate.

Core Suitability Model Index: Your Guide to Optimal Site Selection

Our proprietary methodologies ensure comprehensive analysis for informed site decisions.

Transforming Data into Actionable Insights for Economic Development

Utilizing advanced modeling techniques, we identify the best site options.

Comprehensive Evaluation Factors for Site Suitability Assessment

We analyze key factors to ensure optimal site selection outcomes.

Core Suitability Model Index

Core Suitability Models consider a wide array of location and performance factors (inputs) relevant to site physical characteristics, surrounding land use compatibility, transportation access, and environmental, ecological, and cultural sensitivities. Inputs represent attractive and vulnerable criteria such as interstate, multi-lane divided highway, Class I rail, navigable waterway/port, flood risk, elevation/slope, potential wetlands, soil conditions, and more. Spatial analysis is used to derive numerical values for site suitability inputs.  Inputs are weighted for model influence and mathematically summed to produce a composite location score. Each Core Suitability Model index is visualized as a color-coded heat map suggesting geographic areas where features and conditions are best suited for sector-specific industrial or commercial development.

Empowering Communities, Companies, and Real Estate Professionals

Our Marketing Partnership Program streamlines the site validation and marketing process, ensuring that the highest quality properties are brought to market with the highest quality local experts. Let LDG help coordinate the proper stakeholders to minimizing risks, reduce costs, and speed up property marketability.

The Marketing Partnership Program brings together key data points from an indepth site analysis offered through the SSI program, proactive marketing outreach utilizing the latest real estate tech and platforms, and leverages the best local in-market real estate partners to bring a quality property to market.

SSI

Gain confidence in your property’s readiness. Through our SSI program, we conduct rigorous site analysis, evaluating infrastructure, utilities, environmental factors, and development constraints. We transform complex data into clear, actionable insights—so only the most competitive sites move forward.

Tech

We harness the latest real estate technology and digital platforms to proactively market properties to a targeted audience. From advanced GIS mapping to virtual site tours, our tech-driven strategies ensure your properties stand out and reach the right prospects faster.

Partners

Our network of in-market real estate experts brings invaluable local knowledge and relationships to every project. We collaborate with the best regional partners to validate sites, navigate local regulations, and position properties for maximum visibility and success.

Trusted by top firms across the nation

Spotlight

Explore Our SSI Certified Properties for Development

Our Property Spotlight Database showcases certified sites that meet rigorous standards for industrial development. Each listing includes detailed site characteristics, transportation options, and utility infrastructure to streamline your selection process.

Xcel Lake County

Crown Point, Indiana

Xcel Lake is a 2,811-acre mega site located in Lake County near Crown Point, Indiana, with 2,281 buildable acres ready for large-scale industrial or technology park development. With direct access to US-41 and just 9 miles from I-65, plus adjacency to a Norfolk Southern rail line, the site is ideally positioned for logistics, manufacturing, and distribution operations. The property features flat terrain, minimal environmental constraints, and is currently zoned agricultural with plans for industrial rezoning.

This strategic location places Xcel Lake within an hour of Chicago and supported by a labor force of over 1.2 million within a 100-mile radius. Surrounded by major employers such as US Steel, Conagra Brands, and LCI Industries, and supported by strong infrastructure and connectivity, the site is perfectly suited for companies seeking a scalable and accessible industrial footprint in the Midwest.

Site Profile
Online Listing

Xcel Evansville

Evansville, Indiana

Xcel Evansville spans 1,266 total acres with 691.5 buildable acres located just 9 miles from Evansville, Indiana. The site offers a mix of agricultural and general industrial zoning with future land use designations for industrial, commercial, and agricultural development. With a flat 0–5% slope, minimal flood/wetland impact, and elevation ranging from 423–470 feet, it’s ideally suited for heavy industrial or Tech MegaPark development.

The site benefits from strong regional connectivity, located within 2.5 hours of Louisville, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Nashville. A nearby workforce of nearly 300,000, along with neighboring manufacturers such as Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Berry Global, make this site a compelling option for industries seeking access to talent, transportation, and infrastructure.

Site Profile
Online Listing

Gram's Legacy

Perry, Florida

The Grams Legacy site is a 272.9-acre industrial-zoned property in Taylor County near Perry, Florida, with 183.4 buildable acres and minimal topographic or environmental constraints. The site features an average slope of just 1.27% and sits at an elevation of 33 to 49.5 feet. Its future land use is designated for light industrial, and it’s part of an emerging Foreign Trade Zone—offering added value through potential tax and import/export incentives.

This North Florida site offers convenient regional access—just under an hour from Tallahassee and around two hours from Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Orlando. Supported by a local labor force of nearly 88,000 and major employers like Johnson & Johnson and Pilgrim’s Pride, the site is well-positioned for light manufacturing, logistics, or distribution operations.

Site Profile
Online Listing