Avident Advisors

Avident Advisors is a strategic provider of economic development and site selection consulting services in North America both in traditional sectors and in advanced manufacturing and green energy.

In today’s competitive and global economy, corporate site selection and location decisions are data-driven and often outsourced to seasoned professionals with deep knowledge of real estate, finance, workforce training, environmental issues, engineering, tax- and financial-incentive analysis, negotiation, and other disciplines. This same level of experience is required when working with state and local governments, economic development entities, and other organizations.

Our team at Avident Advisors combines, in one firm, this broad range of knowledge and experience required to provide effective location advisory services and economic development guidance. We have helped negotiate dozens of high-impact projects resulting in billions of dollars in investment and the creation of tens of thousands of jobs. We have extensive experience in the automotive, aerospace/defense, green energy, shipbuilding, steel, rail, petroleum/petrochemical, and other manufacturing industries.

Our professionals have experience on all sides of the negotiating table. Over the course of our careers, we have served in leadership roles at regional, state, and local economic development agencies, utility organizations, and private engineering companies, as well as in public-private partnerships and tax and revenue agencies, and at the top levels of state government.

During his nearly 30-year career, managing director Tommy J. Kurtz, CEcD, MPA, has served in a number of key economic development roles, including in the administration of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal at Louisiana Economic Development, Entergy Corporation, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, Leotta-Evers Consulting, Ascension Economic Development Corporation, and the City of New Orleans.

To assist clients in making effective, strategic site selection decisions, Avident Advisors draws on cutting-edge software and proprietary databases, including tools for site identification and analysis, tax and other financial incentives, and workforce analysis. We are in regular contact with leaders of multinational corporations, global strategic consulting firms, and national and multinational agencies, helping increase our awareness of emerging development opportunities.

As an affiliate of Jones Walker LLP, we also have direct and immediate access to the considerable legal resources of one of the nation’s top economic development law firms. We work closely with the firm’s leading lawyers in tax, government relations, real estate, and finance law, along with industry teams focused on construction, energy, entertainment, sports, manufacturing, and other sectors critical to the Gulf Coast economy.

Today more than ever, every dollar counts. We help clients identify hidden opportunities and achieve the greatest possible return on their economic investment projects.

Targeted Client Services

We advise clients in all aspects of economic development, including site selection, structuring, and obtaining statutory and discretionary tax incentives and other competitive advantages, and improvement of the overall business environment. Our professional networks, product methodology, research capabilities, databases, and technology tools are at the forefront of the economic development industry.

On behalf of public and private corporations and partnerships, we:

Advise on expansion, consolidation, and relocation of facilities, including access to capital, transportation infrastructure, buildings and equipment, recruitment, screening and training, and development of long-term educational capabilities
Evaluate existing contractual agreements in light of changing market conditions
Provide initial project review to determine the most effective negotiating approach
Identify hidden or lesser-known incentives and tax advantages
Evaluate the net present cost of doing business at selected locations
Draw on a suite of standard and customized performance clauses to minimize risk and maximize flexibility in establishing and monitoring performance measures

On behalf of state economic development agencies, we:

Benchmark tax and incentive structures to enhance competitive position
Review organizational structures and key processes to improve research, leads, and project management
Develop payback analysis structures to improve return on investment
Benchmark request for proposal (RFP) responses and presentation materials using leading-edge technologies
Evaluate and help certify industrial real estate for future investment and development

On behalf of regional economic development organizations, we:

Structure and validate localized deals
Develop policy platforms and legislative presentations
Draft local legislation to create deal closing and infrastructure development funds
Create resources for RFP responses
Evaluate and help certify industrial real estate for future investment and development

Avident Advisors has the experience, network, tools, and resources to help businesses and economic development organizations take full advantage of growth opportunities and maximize returns on strategic investments. For more information, contact managing director Tommy J. Kurtz, CEcD, MPA.

Related Professionals

name
Tommy J. Kurtz
title
Managing Director
email
Emailtkurtz@avidentadvisors.com

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Avident Advisors Integrated Site Selection and Supporting Legal Services

Our broad-based representation begins with a thorough understanding of each project to better serve the goals of the client.