Many businesses think that a business relocation is a road to potential ruin and failure, but I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way.

You may or may not be aware that businesses relocating for public projects receive relocation benefits, which as described in the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (URA), also referred to as the Uniform Act. But even with those benefits, many businesses can suffer from huge financial losses, or possibly even failure. An older federal highway study found that business failure rates on multiple projects samples were as high as 16%. another study showed that 60% of businesses failed. And in one sample failure rates were as high as 80%. That’s right, 80% of the relocated businesses failed!

It does not have to be this way. I believe that business failures should be few and far between on these projects. In my experience with over 700 business relocations, I’ve found that a 99% survival rate can be achieved, with a majority of relocated businesses actually improving their situations and benefiting from the move. This starts with the proper planning of the relocation and finding all of the opportunities for the business that could come from this move. Usually, those opportunities aren’t immediately recognized by a business and you will need a trained and experienced eye, along with key planning, to find them. I’ve developed a system that focuses on 11 key steps necessary for properly planning a business relocation. These steps provide what’s necessary to meet the requirements described by the uniform act for the business to receive proper relocation cost reimbursements. Whether I am working for a business or a public agency, I always follow this system to achieve the best possible results for everyone involved in the project.

If you are an eminent domain attorney, an appraiser, right-of-way professional, or even a displaced business, I invite you to follow this system. Feel free to contact me if you need further explanation of my 11-step system to you in more detail so you can be a part of a needed solution of business relocation failures. I hope you will have a successful experience with the relocation you are preparing.