What's really driving global location decisions today?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Johan Beukema of BCI Global to unpack the shifting landscape of site selection and investment strategy.

From AI and data centers to supply chain resilience, Johan explains how companies are rethinking where they invest—and why. As decentralization accelerates, talent and strong ecosystems are becoming just as important as cost.

The conversation also highlights a key shift: "soft factors" like workforce quality, innovation networks, and livability are now critical differentiators in competitive markets.

A core takeaway? Communities need to clearly define their strengths and align with the right opportunities to stay competitive.

Key Takeaways

Lower-cost locations are gaining ground
Talent and ecosystems now rival cost in decision-making
AI and data centers are reshaping site selection
Supply chain resilience remains a top priority
Clear positioning is critical for competitiveness

Key Topics Covered

Global location strategy shifts
AI and data centers in site selection
Decentralization and regional trends
Talent and ecosystem importance
Supply chain resilience

Sound Bites

"Lower cost locations have climbed up the ladder."
"Focus on soft factors, not just real estate."
"Define project profiles to benchmark your location."