The document provides an overview of Maryland's ZoomProspector system, an online GIS tool that allows users to research communities for site selection and economic development purposes. It describes the key features of the system, including searching for available properties and sites, accessing market data reports, analyzing local businesses and industries, viewing geographic features, and saving/sharing research. The system also enables community and business searches, heat map visualizations, and community comparisons. Other sources for related economic and demographic data are also listed.

1. An Overview of Maryland’s
ZoomProspector System
James Palma, AICP
Senior Research Manager
Office of Policy, Research & Government Affairs

2. Maryland ZoomProspector
2
http://maryland.zoomprospector.com/

3. Toolbars
3
Clickhereforfull-sizemap

4. Reach Your Market
Site selectors, businesses, and neighborhood
groups all use Maryland.zoomprospector.com to
research communities. The system offers:
• Free marketing
• Increased traffic
• Direct, qualified leads
• Expanded lead generation

5. Most Effective EDO Marketing Strategies
Effectiveness of marketing methods according to site selectors:
Marketing Strategy Rating Effective
Website 82%
Out-of-Town Meetings with Businesses 74%
Site Selection Consultants and Familiarization Tours 68%
Public Relations 65%
Special Events 60%
E-Mail 50%
Social Media 47%
Targeted Lead Development Databases 42%
Trade Shows and Conferences 42%
Slogans, Logo and Graphic Identity 41%
Online Videos (YouTube, etc.) 32%
Online Advertising 31%
Company Blog 21%
Brochures 21%
Direct Mail 19%
Print Advertising 17%
TV/Radio Advertising 11%
Videos (VHS, DVD, etc) 10%
Telemarketing 5%
Source: National Survey of Economic Developers and Site Selection Professionals by Ubalde & Simundza. 2011

6. 24%
33%
48%
51%
53%
55%
60%
60%
67%
67%
70%
73%
74%
77%
80%
81%
83%
83%
85%
86%
90%
91%
91%
User-generated content (blogs, forums)
Videos
Transactions (business licenses, permit applications, etc.)
Formatting option for mobile devices/mobile apps
Business list
Comparisons to other areas
Social media integration
News about community (past or present)
Hyperlinks to other organizations
Testimonials and success stories
Employment training programs
Quality of life (climate, schools, housing, culture,…
Business assistance services/how to start a business
GIS mapping tools for site selection analysis assistance
Major employers
Incentives
Staff directory and contact information (phone, fax, email,…
Major industries or business/industry clusters
Maps
Infrastructure (utilities and transportation)
Demographic reports
Labor force (availability and wages)
Land/sites and buildings inventory
Most Important EDO Website Features
Source: National Survey of Economic Developers and Site Selection Professionals by Ubalde & Simundza. 2011

7. @GIS Planning Inc. 2018
Maryland.zoomprospector.com
speeds up, simplifies and
expands the research process

8. 5 Fundamental Questions
1. Is there available property?
2. Is there a market for a product or service?
3. What is the local competition or synergy for
at a specific site?
4. What are the geographic advantages?
5. How can I document and share my
research?

9. 1. Available Property
• A new or expanding business needs either a
vacant building or developable land in your
community
• Web GIS provides user-defined property
searches in seconds
• The ability of users to find properties or land
depends on the efforts taken by State and
local partners to input the data

10. Search buildings, sites,
communities and
businesses

11. User-defined search
for sites and
buildings based on
location & size

12. Property list is also displayed
on interactive map

13. Interactive map tools allow
users to refine their search

14. Click to view individual
property reports

15. 2. Market Research
• A new or expanding business needs to know if
there are enough clients, shoppers or quality
employees for its business to succeed.
• The Maryland ZoomProspector website
provides site-specific demographic, consumer
spending, and workforce data reports in
seconds.

16. Analyze the available
labor force
Modify reports by
radius or drive time
Use dynamic report
variables to create
thematic heat maps

17. Analyze the
demographics of the
surrounding area

18. Find out how much
consumers are
spending

19. 3. Local Competition or Synergies
• Nearby businesses may be potential
customers, suppliers or competition. A
prospective business needs to know the
opportunities of a business location.
• Web GIS provides site-specific business and
industry reports in seconds.

20. Check out potential
competition,
customers or vendors
Business Types

21. Sub-Industries Business Names

22. Filter by criteria such
as distance, revenue,
# of employees and
business class

23. 4. Geographic Advantages
• Airports
• Ports
• Hospitals
• Colleges
• Towns
• Counties
• Railroads
• Energy
@GIS Planning Inc. 2018

24. Interactive maps allow
users to select local map
layers & points of
interest

25. Heat maps help you
visualize how data
works across different
geographies
View the heat map
legend here

27. 5. Documenting and Sharing
• Research needs to be easily accessible on
demand and easily distributed to
stakeholders.
• Maryland.zoomprospector.com allows users to
save, export, print and share reports as well as
properties in a just a few clicks.

28. Save reports by
clicking on the
heart symbol
View saved results,
right-click to clear

29. Export reports as
a PDF or Excel
document

30. Community Research
• Maryland.zoomprospector.com also has the
ability to perform community research, in
addition to performing research around and
on properties.
• Communities are defined as Census
Designated Places (CDPs), Incorporated Places
(IPs), Baltimore City Community Areas, and
Counties.

31. Community Search
31

32. Community Report Quick Links
32

33. Community Profile
33

34. Community Profile
34
Time slider
Download Button
Scrolldownformoreinfographics

35. Business Search
35

36. Business Search (Cont.)
36
Data is from InfoUSA, meaning it will not match public data sources
Click on [ + ] to expand category

37. Business Search (Cont.)
• Scroll to “Liquor Stores,” click to expand:
37

38. Business Search (Cont.)
• Use the “Create Custom Cluster” link to map
specific business categories
38
• Type in NAICS code
or scroll to industry
and highlight in grey
using mouse

39. Business Search (Cont.)
Map shows only beer, wine & liquor stores, list is below. List can be
expanded using [+] controls, copied and pasted into MS Excel
39

40. Business Search (Second Method)
40
1. Click “Business” to do a business search.
2. Enter a NAICS code such as 445310 Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores OR
• Navigate to an industry using the “Business Category” menu
3. Choose a search area (place or county)
4. This method is not designed to show all business on the map at one time

41. Business Search (Second Method)
41

42. Business Search (Results)
• Resulting list can be printed. Marking companies as favorites allows them to be
downloaded as PDF or Excel files
– Javascript must be enabled to download
42

43. Community Mapping - Heat Maps
• System has built-in “heat maps,” color-coded background layers showing
demographics, labor force, and consumer expenditure data.
• Layers auto-scale between block groups, tracts, counties, etc. based on
zoom level
43

44. Community Mapping - Local Layers
• System has built-in “local layers,” color-coded background layers showing
geographies, incentive zones, energy-related infrastructure, post-
secondary educational facilities, and transportation infrastructure
• Layers can be displayed singly or together
44

45. Community Comparisons
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Any two areas can be compared, whether inside or outside Maryland. Comparisons topics
include community factors, labor force, demographics, and consumer expenditures

46. Other Sources: On The Map
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The work and home location of employed people can be analyzed. Commuting patterns
can be revealed. Very basic demographic info on workers is available.
https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/

47. 47

48. Other Sources
• ReferenceUSA
– Covers 11 million businesses in U.S.
– Access ReferenceUSA through your local library
– A valid library card will grant you access through
your library’s website
– Find ReferenceUSA listed in the Business or
Reference section
48

49. 49

50. Other Sources
• Census Business Builder
– www.census.gov/data/data-tools/cbb
– Regional Analyst
– Search, state, county, city/town or zip code
– Demographic, business and consumer spending
information
50

51. Other Sources
• Maryland Workforce Exchange
– mwejobs.maryland.gov Labor Market
Information
– Employer profile
• Search by County, MSA or Workforce Investment Area
• Select industry
51

52. QUESTIONS?
James Palma, AICP
Senior Research Manager
Maryland Department of Commerce
James.Palma@Maryland.gov