Consulting

Location Incentives

Optimizing footprint decisions and reducing operational costs

Deep Expertise, Holistic Approach

Eric Stavriotis

Vice Chairman

Connect With Us

Our Location Incentives team helps clients make more informed site selection decisions and reduce costs associated with company expansions, consolidations or relocations by negotiating and securing economic incentives. Our holistic approach to site selection includes location strategy, incentives negotiation and incentives monitoring—mitigating risk and maximizing savings for clients.

Unparalleled Intelligence & Technology

Our proprietary tools and proven processes allow us to identify opportunities, model scenarios and make sound recommendations that align with your business objectives. On average clients receive 10% to 25% of their capital budgets in potential economic incentive savings.

End-to-End Solutions, Executable Strategies

Our global network of consultants understand what it takes to execute successfully, partnering with other strategic location lines of business to deliver end-to-end solutions for clients around the world.

$9B

In incentive savings secured for clients
900+

Projects completed
125K

New jobs created by clients
$50B

In capital invested by clients

Product Types We Support

Our team supports any real estate developer or occupier that may be considering an expansion, relocation or consolidation of operations regionally, nationally or globally. Project types where our team has deep industry expertise include, manufacturing, headquarters, data centers, life sciences, warehouse/distribution, back office, center of excellence and food production facilities.

FAQs

Our comprehensive site selection and location strategy process is customized based on our client's specific business requirements, weighing factors like labor costs and availability, supply chain, infrastructure, demographics, real estate, taxation, competitor proximity, regulatory environment, economic development incentives, and many other location criteria. Using our propriety technology we quickly analyze and prioritize these factors into a logical and defensible business case for stakeholders. The ultimate result identifies the optimal markets that maximize our client’s business goals and priorities.

Incentives awarded are typically based on new jobs created, wages and capital investment. There are many activities that may trigger an incentives opportunity, including:

Consolidation of existing locations
Large lease renewal
Expansion at existing location
Greenfield development/new facility
Large capital investments
Workforce training/workforce development
Incentives audit or renegotiation of existing agreements
State tax filings review
Significant headcount growth

Economic incentives may be available in the form of as-of-right and discretionary incentives at the federal, state and local level. They may come, among others, in the form of:

Tax credits (including income tax, sales tax, franchise tax, use tax and payroll tax)
Real and personal property tax abatements, reductions, PILOT/FILOT and TIF
Grants for infrastructure, investment and job creation
Free or subsidized real estate, building/permit/development fee reduction and waivers
Utilities discounts and reductions
Workforce recruiting, screening and training

Effective site selection and incentives negotiations for multi-market projects is about intelligence and analytics—better information from the best sources at the right time. In comparison to other firms, CBRE ensures that you have: /p>

Unparalleled Expertise. CBRE has market-leading advisory professionals on the ground that understand the global, regional and local landscapes. Our collective experience and knowledge on leading-edge perspectives into market trends and economic incentives enable us to provide our clients with unique insight into factors that can have a measurable impact on business success.
Bespoke Approach. Our proven customized process helps us see opportunities, model scenarios and make sound recommendations for our clients. By tailoring our approach for our clients’ particular situations, we drive insightful, comprehensive and innovative solutions by leveraging CBRE’s diverse expertise.
Industry-Leading Technology. We have invested in the development of tools for location filtering and weighting, incentives assessment, comparative cost modeling, economic and fiscal impact modeling, and incentives monitoring. CBRE applies these tools to your specific business requirements in order to maximize your business goals and take the stress out of incentives and site selection.
Trusted Team. We understand that an actionable site selection strategy is multi-faceted, bringing together the best experts across multiple disciplines. Our team of experienced professionals has unparalleled expertise in talent, economic incentives, supply chain and other key location factors.

Delivering Differentiated Value

	CBRE	National Firm	Tax Firm	Local Real Estate Firm	Boutique Consultant	Client Self-Perform
Team Size	✔	✔	✔
Financial Modelling	✔	✔	✔
National / Global / Local Footprint	✔	✔	✔
Labor Analytics	✔	✔		✔	✔
Full-Service Strategy	✔	✔
Political Connectivity	✔	✔	✔
Creative Solutions	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Brand Recognition / Buying Power	✔	✔	✔
Technical Approach	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Cross Border Experience	✔	✔	✔
Corporate Tax	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔

✔ Skilled Capabilities
✔ Moderate Capabilities

CBRE Consulting

We see your real estate strategy from every dimension. Learn more about how our consultants translate business objectives into smart, executable real estate strategies.

Explore Consulting Services

Related Services

Consulting

Labor Analytics

Using primary research and scenario modeling to guide location strategy.

Read More
Consulting

Supply Chain Advisory

Solving complex business problems through supply chain transformations

Read More
Plan, Lease & Occupy

Workplace Solutions

Unlock the power of your workplace with user-centered design, delivery and management services to drive strategy, inspire human performance and increase employee engagement.

Read More
Plan, Lease & Occupy

Portfolio Strategy

Position your real estate as an active asset with expert analysis that identifies opportunities and delivers actionable strategies aligned with your business.

Read More
Manage Properties & Portfolios

Occupancy Management

Leverage occupancy data to empower, anticipate and unlock opportunities within your portfolio.

Read More

Related Insights

Article | Creating Resilience

Business Insights | 6 Ways Consumers Are Reshaping the Food & Beverage Industry

August 19, 2025

Over the past decade, consumers’ focus on health and sustainability has fundamentally changed what they choose to eat.

Learn More
Article | Creating Resilience

Business Insights | Top Three Themes at the Forefront of Economic Development Discussions

May 30, 2025

Economic development leaders share insights on navigating the impact of tariffs, addressing labor constraints and identifying solutions to meet power demands.

Learn More
Brief | Creating Resilience

New Incentives Available for U.S. Solar Manufacturers

March 20, 2023

As the U.S. transitions to more renewable energy sources, solar manufacturers are poised to benefit from federal tax credits enacted as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Learn More
Report | Future Cities

Measuring Market Momentum: Where is Population Growth Accelerating?

October 12, 2022

Comparing population growth over recent five-year periods can shed light on “sticky” trends that are most likely to impact site selection and talent attraction strategies.

Learn More
Press Release

CBRE strengthens offering with consolidated childcare brokerage team

April 1, 2026

CBRE has boosted its childcare brokerage capability with a consolidated national team, reinforcing its position as a leading advisor in Australia’s healthcare and social infrastructure sector.

Learn More