
What Is a Shovel-Ready Site?
April 14, 2025
While there is no formal definition of what constitutes a “shovel-ready” site, here is a working description that our site selection firm relies on. A shovel-ready industrial site is a parcel of land or an existing facility prepped and available for immediate or at least near term use. Here are some key shovel-ready benchmarks we look for:
- Proper Zoning and Permitting: The parcel has been zoned for industrial use, and all required permits or land-use approvals from local, state and federal agencies are in place or can be secured quickly. Localities that provide an expedited permitting process can also enhance the attractiveness of a shovel-ready site.