“There’s no single definition for a megasite, but it generally refers to a very large plot — one common threshold is 1,000 acres — tied to transport, low-cost and preferably renewable energy, and a nearby supply of skilled labor.”
I found this graphic interesting from a geography POV.
Most sites since 2018, are in the Eastern half of the US. Which has more population.
Since there are more people, then “megasite” are more rare, but infrastructure is more common.
In Taylor TX, NE of Austin, Samsung is developing a 2000 acre megasite.
RE in the area is WOW!
A rural 33 acre plot on a nearby highway is on Zillow for $3.4M, or $103,000/ac.
I’m guessing the wildflowers on that parcel are stressing over the future of their offspring.
Most of the small towns and cities around Central TX developed an “industrial park”, about 20 years ago. These are towns with population 1000 to 25,000. These have minimal infrastructure.
The larger towns started “industrial parks” 30 years ago, and have more infrastructure.
The good-ole-boy mindset of the local L&Ss is being challenged.
ralph is an observer.
It would seem that such construction is rather uncommon. As the article states, prior to 2022, when 20 sites were started, there had only been a single year (2021) when such sites numbered more than 10. Last year there were only 4.
It would also seem that outside of 3rd and 2nd world countries (China included), there are probably few places in the world that have as much available land as we do that is also accessible by various modes of transportation.
I think are biggest challenge is the regulatory environment. We just don’t make it easy to build such facilities.
I also found the graphic very interesting as it seems that most of the locations were chose not so much based on the availability or the cost of land but more likely access to other resources (energy, transportation, and probably most important, workers).
I’m sure that is exactly right. Taylor Texas for example has all that. Reasonable amount of empty land around it, with a town that is not too tiny but could easily grow. Not far from Austin and its large suburbs (particularly, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville). Has existing railroad access as well as highway access. Contrast that with other rural parts of Texas where land is cheap but you have no railroads near by, the highway system consists of paved two-lane roads, and nobody nearby to work for you.
For many manufacturing items water is a key element. So I am not surprised most sites on the map are East of the Mississippi River where rainfall is more abundant and likely so are underground aquifers.
The ‘megasite’ issue: While the U.S. has plentiful land, there are not that many places to quickly plunk a billion-dollar-plus factory. There’s no single definition for a megasite, but it generally refers to a very large plot — one common threshold is 1,000 acres…
Wasn’t somebody talking about moving Disney World to California? Talk about megasites – 27,000 acres.
