By Kristen George

GREENVILLE — In a move that could have exciting implications for the state of South Carolina, Greenville-based site selection and economic development consulting firm InSite Consulting LLC has acquired nationally recognized Site Location Advisors LLC.

The merging of the two companies, who have a combined $10 billion in deals worldwide, could potentially garner South Carolina more attention as a site for future development.

“While this doesn’t guarantee South Carolina to short lists, just by virtue of the location of this company, it could be helpful that, when relevant, InSite will ensure South Carolina gets consideration for new business development,” said Sam Patrick, spokesman for InSite Consulting.

While traditionally the number of businesses locating in South Carolina via a site selection company is fairly low, according to Kara Borie, spokeswoman for the S.C. Department of Commerce, the potential to bring more business to the state is always welcome.

“We always like to increase our base of allies in any way we can in order to bring more companies to South Carolina,” Borie said.

Site Location Advisors founder John F. Sisson, who will run the company’s Greenville office, brings experience and expertise to the table. Sisson’s background includes completion of more than 1,500 successful site selection assignments for clients in North America, Europe and Africa with total investments exceeding $7 billion. 

Sisson has developed state certified-site programs for New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Oklahoma and has negotiated more than $1 billion worth of incentives for clients locating facilities around the world, including such organizations as Shell Oil, Heinz and General Motors.  Most recently, Site Location Advisors served as an executing ally of Fluor Global Location Strategies, the arm of Fluor Corp. that provides strategic site selection services.

“The relationships that John Sisson has established in the industry, the resources and expertise of the team he brings and the attractiveness of the combined organizations to draw top clients and talent will open up new markets for InSite,” said Rob Cornwell, one of InSite’s two principals.

InSite Consulting LLC offers services in site selection, economic development consulting and real estate. Co-founded in 2004 by Cornwell and Tonya Crist, the InSite principals have performed site selection services for such companies as Mercedes Benz, Procter & Gamble and Black & Decker.