Minnesota Unveils Powerful New Site Selection Tool

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new online tool that will arm company executives and site selectors with comprehensive information for making business expansion decisions in Minnesota was unveiled today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and GIS Planning Inc.

The one-stop system, available at http://www.MNPROspector.com, provides users with commercial real estate data, demographic breakdowns, community details, lists of buildings available for sale or lease, and information on the local workforce, including education and skills.

The tool, jointly implemented by DEED and the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MnCAR), will replace MNPRO, an earlier site selection system that was not as comprehensive as MNPROspector.com.  San Francisco-based GIS Planning (http://www.gisplanning.com) created the software that powers the new system.

"MNPROspector.com is an essential tool for businesses researching where they want to locate or expand," said Paul A. Moe, acting commissioner at DEED.  "This tool will give us an edge over other states by making valuable information available to businesses considering moving here or to existing Minnesota businesses scouting for expansion opportunities within the state."

MNPROspector.com covers every Minnesota city and all 87 of the state's counties.

The Geographic Information System (GIS)-powered website is built upon Google Maps technology, offering state-of-the-art site selection mapping capabilities.  The new website is also integrated with GIS Planning's national site selection search engine, http://www.ZoomProspector.com, which allows visitors to conduct national searches of cities and commercial properties that match their unique criteria.

The system explains and quantifies how properties differ by offering images and details about what surrounds them, including the labor force, complementary businesses, geographic access and more.

"Speed-to-market is a competitive advantage for business.  Since more than 97 percent of initial site selection screening is now done online, the new Minnesota system will help businesses instantly gather information they need to make investment decisions," said Anatalio Ubalde, CEO of GIS Planning.

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development.  Visit www.PositivelyMinnesota.com.  Follow us at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

GIS Planning, www.gisplanning.com, is the world leader in online economic development solutions.  More than 13,000 U.S. cities in 42 states are served by the company's GIS software, which provides real estate, demographic and industry data to help site selection professionals.

SOURCE GIS Planning Inc.; Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)