The ability to effectively market available industrial locations in Henderson County continues to be a vital component of the Partnership’s scope of work.  One of the most utilized functions of the HCPED website is the Sites & Buildings search menu.  NC Commerce has worked hard to integrate their Economic Development Intelligence System (EDIS) with the state sites and buildings platform.  The result will be an improved tool that allows users to identify sites and buildings based on specific search parameters in addition to mapping asset and demographic information.

Commerce has worked diligently over the past year to integrate the buildings and site search website with the Commerce’s recently released Economic Development Intelligence System (EDIS).  EDIS is a statistical and mapping tool that provides economic and demographic data about North Carolina and its communities. This world-class business site search tool was developed using the expertise of the North Carolina-based SAS Institute. To successfully launch the improved software package Commerce staff has worked diligently with site selectors, and local economic development organizations, including HCPED, to develop a much improved system which not only provides available building and site listings, but integrates useful tools typical found exclusively within GIS software packages.

 In addition to the inclusion of the EDIS software the new site will provide an array of advantages to its users including:

•          Leveraged technology assets – taking advantage of existing investments in technology by integrating with EDIS

•          Expanded search capabilities – ability to search on almost every field and use keywords

•          Enhanced map features – integrating with Google maps and ability to more accurately identify location of property

•          Improved reporting – updated look, more property details and pre-defined reports with related demographic information (workforce, population, businesses)

•          Increased flexibility to upload info – ability to upload certified sites documents, marketing materials, multiple images, etc.

•          X / Y Coordinates – key to accurate mapping

•          Building Features by Area – allows for much greater accuracy and detail, including information about specialty space (clean rooms, wet labs, hangers, refrigerated, etc.) and cranes and doors

•          Nearby Features – leveraging GIS to provide more information including highways, interstates, airports, ports, educational institutions)

•          Images and Attachments – ability to upload multiple and different types, also default image required

•          Contacts – can select from menu or enter new (distinct from contacts that display on report)

•          Reorganized Sections – easier to navigate between sections – can be either across or down once first section completed

•          Tool Tips – to give you an idea of function of icons

•          List of Current Buildings/Sites – improvements made to allow sorting on important features to make finding specific properties easier

The revised NC SiteSearch website is scheduled to be released by the end of 2009. As the system nears completion the HCPED will continue to work to provide updates about the system and ensure that local buildings and sites continue to be translated to this new system for increased marketability.