The New York State Electric and Gas Corp. offers leasing and financing arrangements. IES Utilities offers to provide funding for a portion of the direct costs associated with the marketing of a speculative building project. Power companies also offer a variety of special services. For example, the TVA offers business incubators, which are multitenant facilities where small businesses can share equipment, space, and expertise. Pennsylvania Power and Light offers to assist manufacturers with site inspections.
Many companies offer electronic networking resources, such as databases or Web sites.
Power companies often work together with more-traditional site selection resources, such as local chambers of commerce. While doing site research, therefore, it is likely that a medical device manufacturer will eventually be directed to these types of companies. Because of the wealth of services they can offer, however, it is a good idea to contact energy providers at the beginning of the process to be sure their offers will be factored into site selection. Post them in our Members' Discussion Forums .