Strategic Geography Industrial Plans
You and your partner are on a team of Texans who decide where any new business should locate in the Lone Star State. You must take into account what needs each business has (water, sunshine, wind, good soil, etc.) and place them accordingly in the state. You must state the landform region where they should locate and the reasons for your decision. This is a tremendous job you have because each of these businesses wants to succeed and must follow your recommendations. Each of the 4 regions of Texas should get equal opportunity to house the businesses.
You will work in groups of two; each being responsible for all 14 recommendations. While you should confer with your partner on placement decisions and justifications, your work will be graded individually. Each partner should complete their assignments on a separate sheet of paper with their name at the top; each team will staple their recommendations to a map of Texas where the new business locations should be plotted. Do not use only major cities and do not use the following as “justification” for your location decisions: “Should be located where there are a lot of people because they will need customers.” Please use things such as natural resources, climate, geographical features, etc in your explanations. Good luck!
Business Plan 1 – The Mixed Fruit Juice Company wishes to expand into Texas based on predictions that young people will stop drinking soft drinks and switch to juice. Where should it locate?
Business Plan 2 – The Cow Bell Ice Cream Factory believes that it is much too hot in Texas and that people should cool down during the summer with lots of ice cream. Where should it locate?
Business Plan 3 – The Hard Knock Furniture Company wishes to move its headquarters from Boston, Massachusetts, to Texas so it can compete at better prices with Ethan Allen. Where should it locate?
Business Plan 4 – The Alabaster Plastics Company also wishes to relocate to Texas because of the resources in this state. Where would the committee recommend it locate?
Business Plan 5 – The Humana Hospital wishes to branch out into research of grains because one of its scientists believes sorghums are the answer to the AIDS crisis. However, it also wants to be located far away from cities in case Dow Chemicals suspects it is being beaten to the cure. Where should it locate?
Business Plan 6 – The Ultra Smooth Cement Company wants to move from Utah so that the materials they need will be easier to get. Where should it locate in Texas?
Business Plan 7 – Texas has been chosen by the Federal Government as the best place to store nuclear waste. Where in Texas would be the best place?
Business Plan 8 – The Gutenberg Book Company is considering a move from Europe to Texas for its book binding operation. Where would the committee suggest in order to be closer to the materials needed for books?
Business Plan 9 – NASA has been disbanded because of the shuttle problems over the last few years. Now the government needs a new launch site for the rocket missiles and satellites it plans to send into space. Where in Texas should the site be?
Business Plan 10 – The Ski Texas, Not Colorado ski equipment shop wants to open a new business in Texas. Where do you think it would sell the most skis, goggles, and lift tickets?
Business Plan 11 – The Sam Houston Statue Factory wants to locate in a geographical site where it can find materials to make statues. Where in Texas should it locate?
Business Plan 12 – The Softest Wool in the Southwest Company which primarily makes mohair sweaters for people who live in the northern climates wishes to open up in Texas. Where should it locate?
Business Plan 13 – The U.S. government needs to maintain weather stations to monitor hurricanes during the summer and early fall. Where would be the logical place for it to be located?
Business Plan 14 – The We Only Use Rattlesnake Skins Boot Company has killed most of the rattlesnakes in Arizona and wishes to move to Texas. Where should it relocate?
Rubric:
14 businesses complete [35 pts.]
Map attached with placement of businesses [20 pts.]
Justification/Reasons given for placement of businesses [35 pts.]
Landform/Sub-Region stated [10 pts.]