Public Safety Matters in Site Selection

September 23, 2025 - When companies scout new locations, the standard checklist includes availability of a quality and skilled workforce, infrastructure, and operating costs. Yet public safety, too often underestimated, plays an important role. Public safety officials protect people and assets, which strengthens the long-term stability of businesses both large and small.

Law enforcement presence affects many aspects of a business from employee retention to insurance costs. A visible, community-minded police or sheriff’s department helps reduce crime and reassures workers. It also signals to investors that a region is secure. A sense of personal safety, a quality of life issue, also matters when employees bring their families.

Fire protection is another consideration that can make or break a site decision. Manufacturing facilities, data centers, medical buildings, and logistics hubs house valuable assets and depend on reliable fire coverage. Fire departments with advanced capabilities lower insurance premiums. They also reduce downtime and help businesses meet safety requirements.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) help shape workforce confidence. In industries where physical risk is part of the job, such as logistics or construction, a quick response from medical personnel can save employee lives as well as limit company liability.

In some regions, military installations and training centers give sites a competitive advantage. These communities, such as Huntsville or Mobile, often benefit from enhanced infrastructure, technically trained veterans entering the workforce, and a heightened level of security. The aforementioned factors help corporate decision-makers feel more comfortable when making an investment.

In today’s competitive landscape, public safety can be the difference between landing a project or losing it. Cities and counties that prioritize police, fire, EMS, and support for the military protect their residents and create an environment conducive for growth as well as retention.

To the men and women in public safety, we thank you. Your service safeguards communities and property and makes doing business possible.

Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth, PhD, MBA, MS; is a Site Selector, Commercial Real Estate Developer, and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama

Opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers