In 2025, the Southeastern U.S. continued to build on its momentum as one of the nation’s most compelling regions for industrial activity, drawing sustained interest from occupiers and investors across the logistics and manufacturing spectrum. The region’s enduring appeal remains rooted in its rapid population growth, cost-competitive labor environment, deep workforce base, and strategic access to ports, intermodal infrastructure, and expanding inland distribution networks. Vacancy rates have begun to tighten across several key markets as the construction pipeline moderates from its recent peak, allowing supply and demand fundamentals to rebalance. The accelerating shift toward nearshoring and supply chain diversification continues to reinforce the Southeast’s position as a beneficiary of long-term structural change, while the region’s growing labor pool—bolstered by over 1.2 million workers entering industrial roles over the past two years—underscores the depth and resilience of its workforce. Given these advantages and a favorable business climate that continues to outpace much of the country, the Southeast remains firmly positioned as the region of choice for industrial operations well into the future.
The Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Region Industrial Labor Report examines the relationship between industrial labor supply and demand in the warehousing and manufacturing sectors, alongside broader industrial real estate fundamentals across the region.
This report highlights the 18 key metropolitan areas in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic spanning Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
Key industrial markets covered include:
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