Thinking of Moving Your Company? Think Fly-Over States. There is huge opportunity plus a lot of very nice, energetic people between the coasts.

By Amy Osmond Cook

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

DenisTangneyJr | Getty Images

Relocating your business is a decision no executive should take lightly. The impact on your customers, management and (especially) employees makes it a decision many executives are reluctant to make.

However, there are reasons you might consider moving. The reality is that some locations may offer better proximity to suppliers or customers, favorable tax treatment or other financial incentives, a lower cost of living, a higher quality of life, or access to a talented, educated workforce. Hopefully the community in which your company is headquartered offers most or all of those benefits.

If not, here are three communities you should consider:

Provo, Utah.

Provo is located on the northern end of the Wasatch Front, which includes Ogden and Salt Lake City. Together these cities make up a region increasingly known as the Silicon Slopes. A low cost of living, highly educated workforce, and proximity to some of the world's best ski resorts and outdoor recreation activities have made the region a mecca for tech talent looking to escape the high cost of living in Silicon Valley.

Related: 6 Regions Where Tech Jobs Boom the Housing Is Scary Expensive

That concentration of talent makes Provo (and the entire region) a desirable destination for any company looking to employ skilled technology workers.

Provo has also been consistently ranked as a city with a high quality of life and is home to Brigham Young University (BYU), which itself is home to top-ranked business and law schools. Incidentally, I grew up here -- and both Simplus and Osmond Marketing are headquartered here.

Hamilton County, Indiana.

Hamilton County is located in the northeastern suburbs of Indianapolis and includes the communities of Fishers, Carmel and Noblesville. A low cost of living and strong public schools make these suburban communities a desirable destination for employees, while the proximity to major freeways and a strong manufacturing sector help make Hamilton County one of the fastest growing and most business-friendly counties in the country.

The cities of Hamilton County also consistently rank high in various quality-of-life surveys. This year both Fishers and Carmel were ranked in the top 50 on the 2017 version of Money magazine's 100 Best Places to Live list.

St. Charles County, Missouri.

Located in the western portion of the St. Louis region, St. Charles County is also one of the country's fastest-growing tech communities. The county also has a low cost of living, and like Hamilton County, Indiana, the communities of St. Charles County are consistently described as among the best places to live.

Related: 8 Reasons to Launch Your Startup Outside of Silicon Valley

Both O'Fallon and St. Peters ranked in the top 50 on the 2017 version of Money magazine's 100 Best Places to Live list. The community's location along Interstate 70 and near Interstate 55 makes it an important logistical hub and a great location for a manufacturing business.

The city of St. Charles also has one the country's most storied historic Main Streets, along with OPO Startups, a unique coworking facility housed in a renovated, historic post office. The facility even received a special mention in a November speech by President Trump.

An important decision.

Relocating your business is an expensive decision. It will disrupt your business and your employees. But sometimes disruption is exactly what you need.

In certain instances, a relocation -- if done strategically -- can breathe new life into your company. It can attract new, diverse, and talented employees, and improve your bottom line via a lowered tax burden and a reduced cost of doing business.

Related: The Top 4 Tax Strategies To Save Your Business Money

If you're thinking of a relocation in 2018, take that decision seriously. And you can start doing that by considering communities that will make your company stronger and better positioned to compete in your market.

Amy Osmond Cook

VP, Marketing & Creative Services, Simplus; Founder, Osmond Marketing

Amy Osmond Cook, Ph.D., is the VP of marketing at Simplus, director of Simplus Creative Services, and founder of Osmond Marketing. She enjoys reading business books, playing the violin and trying new restaurants with her husband and five children. Follow her at @amyocook.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

An Hermès Heir Wants to Give Half His $12 Billion Fortune to His Gardener—and Lawyers Are Going Nuts

Nicolas Puech, the grandson of Hermès' founder, intends to legally adopt the 51-year-old former groundskeeper as his son, ensuring he inherits his billions.

Marketing

5 SEO Tips to Grow Your Small Business

Stop following SEO strategies that don't work. Discover the five essential SEO tips you need to grow your small business.

Leadership

7 Reasons Why CEOs Need to Develop a Personal Brand — and How to Build One.

Here's why crafting a captivating personal brand and origin story is pivotal in today's landscape and how these seven tangible advantages can redefine your success as a business leader.

Growing a Business

How to Get Your Business Noticed (and How to Brag About It)

Knowing how to go after important recognition awards and then leverage them can have a long-term impact on your business.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.