Nelson Lindsay published an article in Area Development about how economic developers in local communities can navigate a new shift emerging when it comes to delaying projects until after an election cycle due to negative public sentiment.

"At the point where the process would normally be moving toward structuring a deal, the economic development staff pulls the consulting team aside and says some version of: we love this project, we want this project — but can you hold off until after the primary?" Nelson wrote. "The first time that conversation happens, it is surprising. By the fifth or sixth time, it has stopped being surprising and started raising a more uncomfortable question about what kind of environment economic developers are now operating in."

"What is happening now goes beyond a difficult council member or a skeptical county commission," Nelson continued. "It is a community's own economic development professionals signaling that beginning the public approval process — for a good project, one that creates jobs and tax base and economic activity — could be a political liability for an incumbent facing a primary. The concern is that many types of projects are destined to draw opposition and give an opponent something to campaign against."

Click here to read the full article: A New Question Is Entering Site Selection Conversations: Can This Project Wait Until After the Election?

Area Development is a magazine that covers corporate site selection and relocation. It serves an audience of business leaders and site selection professionals.